The highways agency wants to widen the M1 motorway between junctions 21 and 30. Here's the details on their proposed plan:
The M1 motorway is a heavily used strategic route linking London with the Midlands and the North. Up to 150,000 vehicles per day use this section of the M1.
We propose to improve approximately 50 miles of the length of the M1, between Leicester (J21) and Chesterfield (J30), by widening those sections that are currently three-lane, to four-lane motorway.
We also plan to improve this stretch of motorway to current highways standards by:
- re-surfacing with low noise materials
- reconstructing and/or improving bridges
- improving all junctions
- adding new improved exit signs
- installing new technology (e.g. electronic messaging signs)
- building new signal gantries at 1km intervals
The Need to Widen
The road was built in the 1960s and designed for use by 67,000 vehicles per day. Today, it carries up to 150,000 vehicles per day and it is significantly congested at peak times, during roadworks and incidents. This causes delays and increases the risk of accidents.
The scheme will:
- ease congestion
- improve journey times
- improve journey time reliability
- improve safety
You can see all the details on their page here (not Firefox friendly!): http://www.highways.gov.uk/m1eastmidlands
