§ Mr. Greg KnightTo ask the Secretary of State for Transport if he will estimate the cost of widening the M1 from three lanes to four in both directions between London and its junction with the M6; and if he has any plans to authorise the widening in whole or in part of the M1.
§ Mr. Peter BottomleyExpensive and quite detailed studies would have to be carried out before any useful estimate could be given for the cost of widening the M1 between London and its junction with the M6. Apart from the provision of a climbing lane to both carriageways of the M1 at junction 9, I have no plans at present to authorise the widening of any part of this motorway.
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§ Mr. Greg KnightTo ask the Secretary of State for Transport why the scrapped offside lane hard shoulder on the M1 north of junction 6 cannot be utilised as a vehicle carriageway.
§ Mr. Peter BottomleyThe extra lane would not be long enough to be useful or safe.
§ Mr. Greg KnightTo ask the Secretary of State for Transport for what reason the stretch of offside lane hard shoulder on the M1 north of junction 6 was scrapped almost immediately after construction.
§ Mr. Peter BottomleyIt was decided in 1972 to provide offside hard shoulders on four-lane motorways on the understanding that the police would supervise the re-entry of vehicles to the carriageway. By 1982, there was much concern about the safety of re-entry and the police advised against such provision. The offside hard shoulder planned for this section of M1 was therefore covered over.