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The Project Control Framework
This framework sets out how we, together with the Department for Transport, manage and deliver major road improvement projects.
Scheme History, Options and Preferred Route
Scheme History
The published Draft Orders and Environmental Statement for the Widening scheme were withdrawn on the 19th March 2010. A copy of the Public Notice can be viewed on the Publications page.
Public Consultation
Options for improvements to Junctions 11 and 12 were examined and a Public Consultation was carried out between June and September 2009 to obtain the views of the public on the Highways Agency's proposals.
The Public Consultation Leaflet can be viewed on the Publications page.
Junction 11 Proposal
The existing Junction 11 is a grade-separated junction located to the north-west of Luton town centre. The roundabout at the junction is situated beneath the M1.
One option was presented at Public Consultation for the improvement of Junction 11.
This proposal, which would provide improved capacity without requiring the acquisition of land from residential property, would include changes to the slip roads. New traffic signals would allow for safe crossing of the slip roads by pedestrians.
The proposal also includes improvements to the A505 Dunstable Road approaches to the roundabout.
Junction 12 Proposals
The existing Junction 12 is a grade-separated junction located approximately 7 miles north-west of Luton town centre and one mile from Toddington Motorway Service Area, (MSA). The junction includes one bridge which passes over the M1 and four slip roads. The junction is closer to Toddington MSA than is desirable for traffic to change lanes. Three options were presented for the improvements, all of which would provide new slip roads to be built to the north of the existing junction.
All of the options would increase the distance between Toddington Motorway Service Area and the junction slip roads which would reduce the risk of vehicles colliding when changing lanes. New traffic signals would be provided for all of the proposed options to control the flow between traffic on the slip roads and the A5120 Harlington Road. All the options for the improvement of Junction 12 incorporate facilities for pedestrians and cyclists across the junction bridge.
The Red Option
The Red option includes the use of the existing bridge over the M1 and maintains access to all farmland and pedestrian routes.
This option would require more land and would cost more than the Blue or Orange options.
This option would extend existing bridges under the motorway and new structures would be built to maintain access to fields and routes for pedestrians.
The Blue option
The Blue option has a similar layout to the Red option and also includes the use of the existing bridge over the M1. The slip roads would be closer to existing ground level. New accesses would be provided to farmland and pedestrian routes.
This option would require less land than the Red option but more than the Orange option. Its costs would be similar to the Orange option. This option would provide alternative farm accesses and would improve facilities for pedestrians and cyclists over the existing bridge.
The Orange option
The Orange option would provide a new bridge over the M1, which would provide better facilities for pedestrians and cyclists, and would require less land than the other two options.
Existing bridges under the motorway would be extended and new ones built to maintain access to fields and routes for pedestrians.
This option would require less land and would cost less than the Blue or Red options but the new slip roads would be nearer Toddington MSA.
Changes since the Public Consultation
Further design of the Junction 11 layout has shown that changes would be required to the roundabout carriageway and A505 approaches. These changes are required to reduce queues on the A505 towards both Dunstable and Luton.
Further design of all options of the Junction 12 layout has indicated that the staggered junction arrangement on the west side of the motorway between the B530, A5120 and the proposed slip roads should be replaced by a cross roads arrangement to the make the signalized junction work more efficiently.
Two reports have been prepared and can be viewed on the Publications page.
- Report on Public Consultation, which summarizes the responses to the Public Consultation.
- Scheme Assessment Report, which explains the factors that determined the selection of the preferred option.
Decision by Secretary of State for Transport
The Secretary of State for Transport has considered the views of those who responded to the Public Consultation and confirms that the proposed improvement of M1 Junction 11 as a roundabout with traffic signals will be the Preferred Route to be taken forward.
The Secretary of State for Transport has considered the views of those who responded to the Public Consultation and confirms that the Orange Option for the improvement of M1 Junction 12 will be the Preferred Route to be taken forward.
Preferred Route
On 18th November 2009 the Preferred Route for Junctions 11 and 12 was announced and a copy of the Preferred Route can be viewed on the Publications page. More information is also available on the Options and Preferred Route page.
Draft Orders
Draft Orders were published for the scheme on 9th December 2009. Copies of the notices can be found on the Publications page.
Environmental Statement and Non-Technical Summary
An Environmental Statement and Non-Technical Summary were published under Section 105A of the Highways Agency Act - these describe the junction improvements and the main effects that these were likely to have on the environment together with the measures proposed to reduce or eliminate adverse effects of the scheme on the environment.
The Non-Technical Summary and the Environmental Statement, the Explanatory Statement and the full Environmental Statement can be found on the Publications page.
Public Inquiry
The Public Inquiry was held in June 2010. Copies of the notices can be found on the Publications page.
The Secretary of States Decision
The Secretary of State announced decision on 28th September 2010 to proceed with the scheme. A copy of the letter can be found on the Publications page.
Made Orders
The Scheme and Orders for Improvements to Junctions 11 & 12 were made on 9th December 2010. Copies of the Notices can be found on the Publications page.
