Highways Agency
Safe roads, Reliable journeys, Informed travellers
Introduction
Public Exhibition
Introduction
In 1998 the Government published 'A New Deal for T Trunk runk Roads in England. England.' It identified M1 Junction 19 as a key junction on the highway network that was experiencing considerable traffic problems. In December 2000 Government Office for East Midlands[GOEM] and the Highways Agency [HA] appointed consultant Halcrow Group to carry out a study of the present problems and possible future issues affecting the junction. The objective was to develop practical solutions to tackle the problems.
The comprehensive 'Road Based Study' is nearing completion. The final report being produced will consider the present and future traffic demands at the junction, and recommend proposals for improving the junction. Before finalising the study and report, we want to seek the views of the public through a Public Consultation exercise. This brochure outlines the improvement proposals and summarises their key features and the likely effects, and contains a questionnaire.
The proposals will be shown in greater detail at Public Exhibitions held close to M1 Junction 19, at Rugby and then in the village of Swinford. The purpose of the exhibition is to inform the public, local residents and landowners who may be affected, and to provide them with an opportunity to express their views on the proposals.
Need for the Scheme
M1 Junction 19 forms an important interchange between three major trunk roads - M1, M6 and A14. More than 100,000 vehicles a day use this Junction. It currently suffers from serious congestion, delays and safety problems and these will get worse in the future.
In particular, there has been significant growth of East-West traffic since the opening in the early 1990s of the A14 which is a part of the Trans European Network (TEN). The current non-standard junction design is inappropriate for a route of this importance that carries over 40,000 vehicles per day with a high proportion of heavy goods vehicles. Furthermore, the junction itself, due to its cramped layout, is a barrier to local vehicular and pedestrian movement in the Catthorpe - Swinford area.
Congestion regularly causes long tailbacks on to M6, M1 & A14 and results in accidents. Future growth of road traffic will mean increased delays at the junction leading to traffic diverting to other routes, in turn causing problems at other locations.
What are the Proposals?
Public Exhibition
What are the Proposals?
Preferred Solution:-
The study has examined the problems and looked at a range of possible improvement solutions. These have been designed so that the junction can operate safely and without serious congestion well into the future. Consultations during this work have taken place with a wide group of public and private organisations, the local community and landowners. A variety of options were developed and assessed. A single 'Preferred Scheme' that addresses the problems for the long term has been selected.
Possible Interim Scheme:-
Opportunities to provide earlier relief to congestion have been looked at and several Interim Improvement measures have been considered. The proposals contain details of an Interim scheme that could be built to address the problems of the junction more quickly than the preferred scheme.
Finally, the study has found that to achieve the best long-term overall benefits the existing (since 1994) local road connections at M1 Junction 19 need to be closed off. Alternative ways of providing local road links have been looked at and are shown in this brochure. At this time no particular local road scheme has been selected.
Other Modes of Transport
In developing solutions to address the problems at M1 Junction 19, the study process has been mindful of other or alternative modes of transport and their possible contribution. This has included for example, the possible Central Railway and allied rail developments. The conclusion has been that, in the short and medium term, only a road improvement scheme is appropriate for tackling the specific issues at this major junction on the Motorway and Trunk Road Network.
However this junction, and all the major transport corridors in the vicinity, are within the areas of interest of the Government's London to South Midlands Multi-Modal Study Study. This is currently investigating transport strategies such as reducing the need to travel, maximising use of public transport and making the best use of existing transport infrastructure to form part of the solution to achieve long-term transport objectives.
Purpose of Document and the Exhibition
This brochure shows the proposals and illustrates some of the work carried out in the study. The exhibition will have more details, and HA/Halcrow representatives will be available to explain the exhibits and answer questions.
You are invited to find out more by attending the exhibition and visiting M1 Junction 19 Website :- http://www.m1junction19.org.uk/
Preferred Solution - All Movement Junction - Option 1A
Public Exhibition
Preferred Solution - All Movement Junction - Option 1A
Junction Layout
- Grade separated roundabout
- A14/M6 (Trans European Network) free flow link over M1
- Realigned M6/M1 free flow link
- Local road links diverted away from the junction
Operation and Safety
- All movement junction provides operational flexibility
- Reduces delays and congestion significantly
- Permits improved junction operation to beyond 2025
- Improves safety of highway network significantly
Environment
- Increased visual/landscape impact of elevated M6/M1 link
- Compact layout takes little additional land
- Little impact on surrounding heritage and ecology
Accessibility
- Enhanced local footpath/bridleway network
- Improves local accessibility
Construction
- Complex construction programme and activities
- Earliest completion date is 2009 onwards
Scheme Cost & Economics
- Estimated at £70 million +
- Best value for money of all long-term options
Interim Option - Large Roundabout
Junction Layout
- Additional new bridge under M1, south of existing bridge
- Removal of dumbbell roundabouts
- 14/M6 link through roundabout
- Local road links can be diverted
Operation and Safety
- Reduces delays and congestion earlier
- Limited operational life
- Eliminates two-way traffic flows at Junction
- Improves safety of highway network
Environment
- Minimal effect on the environment
- Small amount of land required
Accessibility
- Limited improvements to local footpath/bridleway network
Construction
- Could be operational by 2006
- Construction of Preferred Solution deferred by 3 years or more
Scheme Cost
- Estimated at £15 million +
Alternative Solution - All Movement Junction - Option 1B
Public Exhibition
Alternative Solution - All Movement Junction - Option 1B
(With grade-separated roundabout and new A14/M6 link under M1)
- Benefits similar to preferred solution
- Lesser visual impact than Option 1A
- Cost increase over preferred solution too great for lower visual impact
- Large volume of spoil to be disposed of in locality
- Local road diversions longer and limited improvements to local accessibility
Other Options Considered
- Free flow junction with new A14 to M6 link, north of existing junction and without an A14/M1 link: Option 2 of earlier solutions
- Free flow junction with new A14 to M6 link and dumbbell roundabout providing all movements: Option 3 of earlier solutions
- Free flow junction with new A14 to M6 link through existing junction and other free flow links in cutting; no A14/M1 link: Option 4 of earlier solutions
Local Road Diversion Options
The reasons why local roads are best separated from the Motorway Junction are:
- Avoids growth of external traffic passing through Catthorpe/ Swinford and other villages
- Preserves village environment and avoids development pressures
- Improves operation of Junction
- Alternative local routes would provide opportnities to improve links for pedestrians/cyclists/equestrians.
Four possible ways of doing this have been looked at and are shown on the plan. The options are compared in the table below
Your Views and What Happens Next?
Public Exhibition
Your Views and What Happens Next?
Please let us know your views by completing the enclosed questionnaire and either handing it in at the exhibition or by posting it (no stamp required). The closing date for comments is 16th August 2002. The comments received will be processed, summarised and included in the final report. The final report will then be considered by the Regional Planning Body, and their recommendations forwarded to the Secretary of State for a decision on the scheme.
Further Information
For further information contact:
Peter Goggs,
Halcrow,
Lyndon House
62 Hagley Road
Birmingham,
B16 8PE.
Tel 0121 456 1056
Email:goggspr@halcrow.com
John Dutson,
Highways Agency,
Broadway
Broad Street
Birmingham
B15 1BL
Tel 0121 678 8361
Email:john.dutson@highways.gov.gsi.uk
Mike Hewitt,
Government Office for East Midlands,
The Belgrave Centre,
Stanley Place,
Talbot Street,
Nottingham NG1 5GG
Tel 0115 971 9971
Key Events
The diagram below shows the stage that we have reached and the sequence of future key events. The timing of future key events will depend on the satisfactory completion of the statutory procedures including a Public Inquiry, if one is needed.
M1 Junction 19 Website:- http://www.m1junction19.org.uk/