M1 / M69 Southbound Link

Highways Agency confirms widening under review (August 08)

In a letter dated 6th August 2008 the Highways Agency have confirmed the the strategy for delivering improvements on the M1 (J21 to 30)is currently under review. Following the successful trial of Active Traffic Management on the M42 the Secretary of State has requested the Highways Agency to access the feasibility of an Active Traffic Management System on the M1. The review will determine whether such a system will provide a better value for money alternative for improving capacity and journey times on the motorway than widening. It is however still the Highway Agencies intention to provide free flow links to relieve congestion at Junction 21. Delivery timescales have changed due to the review and an announcement will be made in due course on the preferred solution. (The letter will be received at the next meeting of the Councils Plan & Environment Committee on 4/9/08)

Motorway Widening Scheme could be replaced by Hard Shoulder Running ? (March 2008)

A report to the Secretary of State of the study into the feasibility, costs and benefits of extending advanced signalling and traffic management techniques more widely across the motorway network was published today. (4th March 2008)
Where would hard shoulder running be beneficial?
Following the successful M42 pilot, the Highways Agency has been
developing proposals to extend hard shoulder running to the motorway box
around Birmingham, the next phase of which was announced by Ruth Kelly in October 2007. It has also been looking at the potential for hard shoulder running as an alternative to some planned widening schemes for the M1 including the J21-J30 scheme. These studies are ongoing.

http://www.dft.gov.uk/

Highways Agency Press Release (Feb 2008)

Latest News
Contract 1 J25 - J28 Widening
The Minister has, Monday 6th August 2007, given a decision to proceed with the widening of the M1 between J25 and J28. Work on this section is expected to start in Late October 2007. Start of Works Exhibitions early October, Further information will be made available nearer the time. A copy of the Decision letter is available from the publications page.

Contract 2 J21 - J30 Widening, Junction improvements and Kegworth Bypass
Work on this section of the scheme is planned to commence in 2012. Consideration is currently being given to the use of Active Traffic management similar to that being utilised on the M42 South of Birmingham.

Background Information

The Highways Agency exhibited two new options for the widening of the M1 between Junctions 21 and 21a (to include proposals for the M1/M69 Link Road) at a consultation event held on 2nd March 2007 at the Braunstone Civic Centre. Booklets providing more information on the widening proposals between J21 and J21a have been distributed to local residents in the Leicester Forest East , Thorpe Astley and Millfield areas of Braunstone Town. The Closing Date for Representations was 31st May 2007. Braunstone Town Councils observations were agreed at a meeting held on 17th May 2007, when members expressed considerable concern about the potential noise and pollution impact of the proposed elevated southbound M1/M69 link road, upon the Meridian Business Park, southern residential areas of Braunstone Town and the Millfield County Primary School. The Highways Agency has been asked to explore an alternative solution to the proposed overbridge - in particular the potential for a tunnel/underpass which would have less environmental impact.

Photo showing Highways Agency's Latest Proposals

Plan showing Highways Agency's Latest proposals

Highways Agency Timetable (August 2007)

Please note that these dates are projections and are subject to change.
Public Consultation March 2006 and March 2007
The preferred route is announced: July 2008
Draft Orders October 2009
Publish Environmental Statement October 2009
Public Inquiry (if required): June 2010
Secretary of State Decision July 2011
Construction starts (Contract 2): February 2012
Construction Period 5 - 7 Years

The Town Council's observations on the Highways Agency's consultation on the proposals for the M1 Widening and M1/M69 Link Road (May 2007)

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.

IF YOU HAVE ANY COMMENTS ON PLANNING & ENVIRONMENTAL ISSUES PLEASE CONTACT - Executive Officer & Town Clerk - Mr Ian Laughton
Braunstone Town Council, Braunstone Civic Centre, 209 Kingsway, Braunstone Town, Leicester, LE3 2PP.

Telephone: 0116 2899270
Fax: 0116 2824785
Email: ianlaughton@braunstonetowncouncil.org.uk