Highways Agency - Safe roads, Reliable journeys, Informed travellers

Update

The Spending Review announcement outlined that the M1 J32 to J35a Managed Motorway scheme will be prepared for start of construction by 2015, subject to the outcome of statutory processes. For more information please visit our Future Delivery Programme page.

The Project

The M1 in South Yorkshire is an important route for regional and international traffic. The section between Junction 32 (M18) and Junction 35A (A616) carries more than 110,000 vehicles each day and suffers from congestion and delay at peak times. Previous studies have investigated options for increasing capacity by widening to four lanes in each direction and by introducing Active Traffic Management with hard shoulder running at busy times.    

In January 2009, Government announced plans to introduce the concept of Managed Motorways, with hard shoulder running, as a cost effective alternative to conventional motorway widening. During normal operation, the scheme will comprise conventional three lane motorway. At busy times, the hard shoulder will be opened to traffic and the speed limit reduced to 60 mph. Traffic will be controlled by overhead signs and signals and Emergency Refuge Areas will be provided at regular intervals.