Main Construction on M1′s First Managed Motorways Scheme Officially Started by Transport Minister
Major construction work on a vital scheme to reduce congestion and improve safety on the M1 in Bedfordshire was officially started today (Wednesday 3 March), by Transport Minister Chris Mole.
When the Managed Motorways scheme is complete in spring 2013, motorists travelling on a 15-mile stretch of one of England’s busiest motorways will be able to use the hard shoulder as a traffic lane during busy periods – increasing capacity and improving journey times.
The Transport Minister today witnessed the official start of major construction of the scheme between junctions 10 (Luton) and 13 (Milton Keynes). Preparatory work started in August 2009 – six months earlier than planned thanks to £16.6m of Government fiscal stimulus funding.
Chris Mole said:
“The M1 in Bedfordshire is the first stretch of motorway outside the West Midlands where we are introducing a Managed Motorways scheme. This means the hard shoulder can be opened as a running lane at busy times to ease congestion.
"The M1 is a key artery which impacts upon both national and local economies, moving goods and people around the country, and supporting investment. I am delighted that the proven benefits of hard shoulder running are being brought to road users on this vital national transport spine. This crucial scheme will make an invaluable contribution to business and economy by increasing capacity, improving journey time reliability and safety.
"This is part of the Government’s commitment to delivering innovative solutions to tackle congestion. Two Managed Motorways schemes are already successfully operating on sections of the M6 and the M42 in the West Midlands. Results from the M42 pilot demonstrate more reliable journey times for drivers and a reduction in the number of accidents – and now users of the M1 in Bedfordshire can look forward to these benefits."
Barbara Follett, Regional Minister for the East of England, said:
“This is great news for the thousands of people who use this stretch of road every day. Driving on the hard shoulder at busy times is an effective way to alleviate congestion and improve safety.”
Lynne Stinson, Highways Agency Project Manager, said:
“Managed Motorways use a range of innovative technology to actively control traffic. Features such as variable speed limits and opening up the hard shoulder to traffic will add more capacity and provide more reliable journey times – at a lower cost than a more conventional road widening scheme, and with fewer environmental impacts.
“Overhead gantries and driver information signs will direct drivers to which lanes are open to traffic and will display variable speed limits. The driver information signs use text and internationally recognised pictograms to give drivers information about the road ahead.
“Emergency refuge areas (ERAs) with emergency telephones directly connected to the Highways Agency control centre will be provided at frequent intervals so that vehicles that break down during the operation of hard shoulder running can stop safely.”
A contraflow is currently in place between junctions 10 and 11, with narrow lanes and a 50mph speed limit. On the northbound carriageway, between junctions 12 and 13, sections of the hard shoulder are closed, with narrow lanes and a 50 mph speed limit in place, to enable site clearance work.
The remainder of the M1 between Junctions 11 and 13 is not subject to lane restrictions or the 50 mph limit during peak hours.
As part of the scheme it will be necessary to upgrade Junctions 11 (Dunstable) and 12 (Toddington). Draft Orders and the Environmental Statement were published in December 2009 with a Public Inquiry set to take place later this year.
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