Fears over plan to use M1’s hard shoulder

CONCERNS over allowing traffic to use the hard shoulder of the M1 motorway in South Yorkshire 24 hours a day are set to be raised by a group of MPs today.

Sheffield Heeley MP Meg Munn is leading a delegation of MPs from South Yorkshire at a meeting in Westminster with Transport Minister Stephen Hammond to discuss the proposals to turn the hard shoulder into a “live” lane at all times.

The meeting will also be attended by representatives from the South Yorkshire Safer Roads Partnership, South Yorkshire Police and the Highways Agency.

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Ms Munn said: “I welcome the opportunity to lead a delegation from South Yorkshire to meet the Minister and discuss our safety concerns with him directly.

“As the Minister is aware, I am particularly concerned over the increased risk for drivers of vehicles that break down at night on what used to be the hard shoulder, as this would then be a live lane. Moving your car onto a verge on much of the M1 is not a realistic safety option.

“I am, however, glad an environmental assessment is now being done but there are a number of additional safety concerns about the proposals which my colleagues will wish to put to the minister.

“This meeting gives us all the chance to have a sensible discussion about the Government’s proposals for the M1 in South Yorkshire.”

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The plans involve introducing a “managed motorway” scheme on a 10.6 mile stretch of road, between junctions 32 of the M1 at Thurcroft and junction 35a at High Green.

Similar schemes have been implemented elsewhere, but so far no other motorway has had the hard shoulder altered to become a traffic lane 24 hours a day, seven days a week.

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