§ Mr. Tony ClarkeTo ask the Secretary of State for Transport what further developments are planned to improve the(a) safety and (b) capacity of (i) junctions and (ii) carriageways on the M1 between junctions 15 and 16 to cope with the increase in traffic use arising from the Milton Keynes/Northampton sustainable communities plan. [157441]
§ Mr. JamiesonWe have no current plans for major improvements to this section of the M1. Following publication of the draft Milton Keynes and South Midlands (MKSM) Sub-Regional Strategy, the940W Highways Agency, together with the three affected Regional Assemblies, looked at strategic transport impacts of the growth proposals on the highway network. Their report has been put in the Library for the public examination of the MKSM Sub-Regional Strategy which begins on 23 March 2004. We will respond to the findings of the public examination in due course.
§ Mr. Greg KnightTo ask the Secretary of State for Transport for what reasons carriageway closures are in place between junction 1 and junction 2 of the Ml motorway; when this stretch of motorway was last subject to carriageway closures; and for what reasons these works and those previously undertaken were not carried out at the same time. [157924]
§ Dr. HowellsThe M1 between junctions 1 and 2 is currently being resurfaced because the road surface is coming to the end of its useful life and needs to be replaced. The opportunity is also being taken to carry out other major repairs to the infrastructure along this stretch of the motorway.
This section was last subject to significant carriageway closures at the end of for essential repairs to lighting columns and for advance drainage works in preparation for the current resurfacing scheme. A period of time was needed on this project between drainage works and resurfacing to allow the ground to dry out and settle.