Leicestershire Parish Councils

BRAUNSTONE TOWN COUNCIL

M1 IMPROVEMENT OPTIONS
(BETWEEN JUNCTIONS 21 AND 21A)

The original proposals for M1 widening and the M1/M69 link road were subject to consultation between March and June 2006. This proposal indicated that the southbound M1/M69 link road would cross over the M1 on a raised overbridge in the vicinity of the Leicester Forest East motorway corridor.

As a result of the reaction to the original proposals, revised plans for the widening scheme between Junction 21 and 21a and the M1/M69 link road have been prepared by the Highways Agency and are currently the subject of public consultation which commenced on 2nd March 2007 and ends on 31st May 2007.

BRAUNSTONE TOWN COUNCIL

M1 IMPROVEMENT OPTIONS
(BETWEEN JUNCTIONS 21 AND 21A)

M1/M69 SOUTHBOUND LINK ROAD
Braunstone Town Council notes that the revised options propose to relocate the M1/M69 link road further south from the Leicester Forest East to the Meridian Business Park.

The Town Council expresses considerable concerns in connection with the noise impact of the elevated section of the road, particularly for nearby businesses, the southern residential areas of Braunstone Town and the Millfield County Primary School.

The Highways Agency is therefore requested to explore an alternative solution to the proposed overbridge. In particular, the potential for a tunnel/underpass would have significantly less environmental impact than the scheme currently proposed.

In any event, prior to the scheme being finalised, a full noise assessment, including the impact of demolishing the Motorway Service Area, must be undertaken to ascertain the impacts on local residents and businesses both during the construction phase and when works are complete. Mitigation measures must be implemented to safeguard local schools, residents and businesses.

OPTION 5 (Dual Four Lanes with Active Traffic Management) and Option 6 (Dual Five Lanes)
Braunstone Town Council is concerned about the following aspects of the proposals, noise, air quality, contamination, visual impact, drainage, flood plain protection and public rights of way.

It is generally acknowledged that less vehicle emissions are produced when cars are travelling at a faster speed and that emissions are worse in slow moving traffic. Parts of Braunstone Town have been designated ‘Air Quality Management Areas’ and traffic pollution is a major concern for local residents in our area. Unfortunately the proposals, as currently shown, do not contain sufficient information to enable the Town Council to arrive at an informed decision.

Full Environmental Impact assessments should be undertaken for both Options 5 and 6 prior to the proposals being finalised. These should be carried out for both the construction and completion stages to determine the impact on air quality in Braunstone Town.

The Highways Agency must be able to demonstrate whether Option 5 or 6 would be the best in terms of air quality impact.

Thorpe Astley and the Motorway Service Area

The revised Thorpe Astley Masterplan approved by Blaby District Council in October 2005 acknowledges that any future landtake for motorway widening would result in a future shortfall of formal open space for this new residential development.

Braunstone Town Council notes that the proposals will result in the removal of the Leicester Forest East Motorway Service area.

This area must be given over to public open space to make up for the shortfall and help minimise negative impacts on the local community by providing a landscaped buffer zone incorporating a noise bund, etc.
Braunstone Town Council (Ian Laughton, Executive Officer & Town Clerk)
Braunstone Civic Centre, Kingsway
Braunstone Town, Leicester
LE3 2PP