§ Mrs. Ann TaylorTo ask the Secretary of State for Transport what estimates he has made of the likely increase in traffic flow between junctions 38 and 39 of the M1 motorway resulting from the construction of an M1/M62 link road; and what estimate has been made of the cost of widening the M1 to four lanes between these junctions.
§ Mr. Kenneth CarlisleConstruction of a new M1/M62 link road would affect traffic flows on the M1 and M62 motorways, the extent depending upon the route chosen. These effects are being taken into account as part of the assessment following public consultation last year.
The route options for this link road could affect traffic on the M1, between junctions 38 and 39, from between an increase of about 8,000 to a decrease of about 31,000 vehicles per day, using a theoretical opening year of 2000. Widening to dual-four lanes for the whole length between these junctions, which traffic would in any case justify if the link road was not built, would cost about £30 million.