§ Mr. Pawseyasked the Secretary of State for Transport why there are at present no plans for additional lanes or carriageways on the M1.
§ Mrs. ChalkerI am awaiting the outcome of the wider review of motorway capacity announced in "National Roads England 1985" to establish whether there is a need for any additional capacity on the M1.
§ Mr. Pawseyasked the Secretary of State for Transport what assessment his Department has made of the effect of the addition of separate outer lanes for short-distance traffic on the M1 northwards from the M25 to junction 10; and if he will make a statement.
§ Mrs. ChalkerA scheme to widen the M1 between junctions 5 and 8, at some points to four lanes, was completed in November 1983. The three-lane southbound carriageway between junctions 6A (with M25) and 7 (with M10) was built with overbridges wide enough to accommodate a fourth lane if one proves necessary in the future. The Department has made no assessment of the effect of further widening, but the carrying capacity of the M1 is currently under review.
658W
§ Mr. Pawseyasked the Secretary of State for Transport what studies his Department has made of ways of increasing the capacity of the M1 between the M25 and Milton Keynes.
§ Mrs. ChalkerThe Department has begun a national review of motorway capacity which includes the M1. The study will identify stretches of motorway that may need relief or widening by the end of the century.