§ Mr. Greg KnightTo ask the Secretary of State for Transport when he expects work will start on the widening of the M1 motorway; and if he will make a statement. [135334]
§ Dr. HowellsVarious Multi-Modal and Road Based Studies have recommended widening the majority of the heavily congested sections of the Ml motorway between M25 (Junction 6A) and M62 (Junction 42).
Widening of sections of the motorway in Hertfordshire and Bedfordshire (Junctions 6A-13), and improvements to the M6/M1 junction, have been accepted into the Targeted Programme of Improvements (TPI). The Highways Agency is currently reviewing procurement and programme options for these schemes, but construction work is planned to commence within the timescale of the Ten Year Transport Plan announced in 2000, subject to completion of statutory procedures.
The Secretary of State has announced previously that he is minded to add further schemes for widening other sections of the Ml motorway between Junction 21 (M69) and Junction 42 (M62) to the TPI. Preparation work continues on these sections of the motorway to identify widening options/costs. The Secretary of State intends to make further announcements in due course.