Highways Agency - Safe roads, Reliable journeys, Informed travellers

Related Pages:

• M1 Junctions 21 to 25 Improvements

Background Information

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. Over time we propose to improve approximately 50 miles of the length of the M1, between Leicester (Jct 21) and Sheffield (Jct 31).

History of the scheme

In 2002, the Secretary of State for Transport announced plans to widen the M1 in the East Midlands, following the recommendations of the East Midlands Multi-Modal Study.

Preliminary studies were then carried out before the scheme was included in the national list of major projects in 2004. An engineering consultancy was then appointed to develop the project in more detail.

In 2007 work started on J25 - J28 and the remaining sections continued to be developed as a widening scheme.

In June 2008 a review of all schemes not yet in construction was undertaken to see if there was benefit in utilising Hard Shoulder Running as a more efficient and cost effective way of improving the network.

In January 2009 the minister announced the revised roads programme which identified the priority schemes for Hard shoulder running. The section from J28-31 was included in the revised roads programme for planned start of works by 2014. 

The Need for improvement

When it was built, this section of the M1 (between J21 and J30) would have been expected to carry up to 67,000 vehicles per day. It is now carrying between 103,000 and 153,000 vehicles per day.

Significant traffic growth is expected even if the motorway is not improved. The increasing congestion, however, would cause traffic to divert onto less suitable roads.

The increased traffic flows on the motorway after improvement would occur mainly as a result of traffic returning to the M1 from the local road network.

The project would:

• Ease congestion
• Improve journey times
• Improve journey time reliability
• Improve safety

Increasing capacity

There are a number of ways increased capacity can be provided. These include:

• Widening
• Junction improvements
• Controlled motorway technology
• Active Traffic Management technology
• Climbing lanes
• Auxiliary lanes
• Free flow link roads
• Ramp Metering

Respecting the Environment

We take our environmental responsibilities seriously and are committed to reducing negative impacts and, wherever possible, improving the existing situation. 

Our environmental interests cover:

• Noise
• Air quality
• Water quality
• Ecology and biodiversity
• Landscape
• Pedestrians, cyclists, horse riders and walkers
• Archaeology, cultural heritage and protected sites of interest