Highways Agency plans to widen the M1 have been criticised by a county council, which claims the scheme will have a ‘massive impact’ on its community.
Leicestershire County Council’s cabinet last week welcomed some aspects of the scheme, but voiced concerns over the project because of its impact on residents. The proposed scheme would upgrade 50 miles of motorway between Leicester and Chesterfield by widening the existing three-lane sections to four lanes by extending into the current hard shoulder, and building a new one within the existing Highways Agency land boundary.
Work on the first phase, between junctions 25 and 28, is due to start in the summer of 2007 and be completed by 2010. But, it is the second stage of work which has promoted objections from the council. As well as building a bypass of Kegworth and remodelling junctions 23a, 24 and 24a, this involves building a flyover junction to the M69 at junction 21. Assistant director of highways and transport, James Holden, said the council was reflecting the concerns of local people.
‘The Highways Agency wants to put a direct link between the M1 and M69 which would have huge benefits for relieving congestion, but would destroy a historic site and have a detrimental effect on the residents of Leicester Forest East.’ Holden added that he had written to the HA project manager and invited him to discuss the scheme. The second stage is due to start construction in 2010 and be completed by 2015/16.
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