M1 Junctions 39-42 Managed Motorway
Major Scheme
Part of our programme of improvements (value >10m)
Public Information Exhibitions
We have recently held public information exhibitions in the local area, providing the opportunity to find out more about managed motorways and to ask questions. The exhibitions were held at the Cedar Court Hotel in Wakefield on the 1st and 2nd February 2013. We also held a further public information exhibition at the Holiday Inn, Ossett, Wakefield on the 8th and 9th February 2013.
A poster and information leaflet with more information is available from the Publications page.
What is happening?
We propose to improve the M1 by making it a "managed motorway" between junctions 39 and 42. Managed motorways help relieve congestion by using technology to vary speed limits. They also allow the hard shoulder to be fully converted to a running lane to create additional capacity. They deliver these benefits at a significantly lower cost than conventional motorway widening and with less impact on the environment during construction.
When and where is this happening?
In the October 2010 Spending Review, the Chancellor announced that the M1 junction 39 to 42 managed motorway scheme would be prepared fo construction by 2015. Additional funding was provided in the 2011 Autumn Statement to enable this scheme to be accelerated so that its construction could commence earlier than planned.
Following this, the 2012 Budget announcement confirmed the start of construction for this scheme to be in financial year 2014/15 (subject to the outcome of statutory processes) and will be completed approximately 18-24 months after start of works. Find out more about our Current Delivery Programme.
This Managed Motorway scheme will be carried out on the M1 between junctions 39-42 near Wakefield.
Why is this happening and what will it cost?
The M1 motorway is a strategic route for local, regional and international traffic, and plays a major role as a national artery providing a direct motorway route between the North and the South; and as a major inter-urban regional route connecting two major conurbations and providing access to two important international gateways.
It carries in excess of 113,000 vehicles a day, of which 25% are HGVs. Congestion is already a serious problem and, based on national road traffic forecasts, the extent and severity of congestion is expected to significantly increase over the next 15 to 20 years.
The estimated cost of this scheme is in the range of £102m to £143m.
How will the scheme be carried out?
A number of cameras, information signs and signals on gantries will be installed as part of the improvement scheme. As the scheme design progresses we will provide more information on the location of these features.
Using our knowledge of operating the M42 and M6 managed motorway schemes we have developed the managed motorway concept. The design of the M1 Junctions 39 to 42 managed motorway will include the following features compared to previous managed motorway scheme.
- Fully Converting the hard shoulder
- Fewer overhead gantries which span the whole motorway motorway, although the dedicated cameras required for opening and closing the hard shoulder are no longer required.
- Increased space between emergency refuge areas.
Signs and signals will still be used to inform drivers of conditions on the network and when variable speed limits are in place.
What are the benefits?
This project will relieve congestion and smooth the flow of the traffic, improving safety and journey times. These benefits will also support economic development in the region.
We already have evidence of the benefits that a managed motorway scheme can bring. The first managed motorway scheme opened to traffic on the M42 motorway in 2006. Recent analysis of the data gathered since opening has found that journey time reliability improved by 22 per cent and reduced emissions by up to 10 per cent due to traffic flowing more smoothly.
In addition, personal injury accidents have reduced by more than half (55.7%) since hard shoulder running was introduced. There was also an overall reduction in the severity of accidents with zero fatalities and fewer seriously injured.
How do I find out more information ?
More information will be posted on this project page as it becomes available. You can subscribe to be alerted when updates are made.
If you have any queries about this project you should contact the Highways Agency Information Line by emailing ha_info@highways.gsi.gov.uk or calling 0300 123 5000.
To contact the team directly you can email: m1J39-42ManagedMotorway@highway.gsi.gov.uk
Business Case
Business Case - Information correct as at December 2010
Leaflet
M1 J39 to J42 Managed Motorway - Information Leaflet - January 2013
M1 J39 to J42 Managed Motorway - Public Exhibition Poster - January 2013