M1 smart motorway to get another 12 emergency areas

31/05/2023 | CHRIS AMES

National Highways will begin work in June to add 12 emergency areas (EAs) on an all lane running (ALR) smart motorway stretch of the M1 in South Yorkshire.

The government-owned company said it is more than doubling the number of EAs on the M1 between Junction 32 at Thurcroft and Junction 35A at Stocksbridge, with the 12 new areas being added to the existing eight.

The upgrade is part of National Highways’ commitment to build more than 150 new EAs between 2020 – 2025, which has so far added just 13.

The company said work on this section is expected to be complete by winter 2024.

Project sponsor Felicity Clayton said: ‘We have listened to drivers' concerns about being able to find a safe place to stop in an emergency on motorways which don’t have a permanent hard shoulder and have been developing a programme to roll out even more emergency areas on all lane running smart motorways, in operation and construction.

‘This investment in extra emergency areas will help increase road users’ confidence.’

The Government has cancelled plans for all new smart motorways and committed to spending £900m, including the EA retrofit programme, to improve safety and driver confidence on existing stretches of smart motorway.

National Highways said that to help engineers carry out the upgrade safely, the left-hand lane – i.e. the former hard shoulder – will be closed throughout construction. Lanes two, three and four will remain open with a 50mph speed limit in place.

A spokesperson told Highways that the work will be carried out in two phases, starting on the section between junctions 33 and 35a (in both directions) and then on the section between junctions 32 and 33 but that the two phases are expected to overlap for a period this winter

All existing emergency areas on the M1 will remain open wherever possible throughout construction. At limited locations where it is necessary to temporarily close an emergency area, a new temporary emergency area will be provided nearby and clearly signed.

As Highways has reported, National Highways' initial report on the third Road Investment Strategy rows back on ministers’ previous pledge to retrofit EAs on existing ALR schemes to achieve a spacing of three-quarters of a mile where possible, which would have seen a further 200 added by 2030.

Highways InProfile

latest magazine issue
Highways jobs

Senior Parking Officer

£38934 - £40755 per annum + n/a
Senior Parking Officer (Business Team) About Us Our Greenwich Plan sets out our vision for the next 4 years focusing on the changes we collectively wa England, London, Woolwich
Recruiter: Royal Borough of Greenwich

Parking Design Engineer

£34416 - £44331 per annum
Parking Design Engineer (Career Graded SC6-PO2) About Us Our Greenwich Plan sets out our vision for the next 4 years focusing on the changes we colle England, London, Woolwich
Recruiter: Royal Borough of Greenwich

Development Engineer

£35,967 - £41,268 per annum
Bexley is an outer London Borough with the best of both worlds. Bexley (City/Town), London (Greater)
Recruiter: London Borough of Bexley

Head of Highways Services

Level 14
North Somerset Council
Recruiter: North Somerset Council

Principal Transportation & Infrastructure Planner

£54889.0000 - £64576.0000 per annum + Flexible Working, Hybrid Working
The Opportunity The Principal Transportation and Infrastructure Planner engages with strategic partners, to devise and co-ordinate land use transpo England, Essex, Chelmsford
Recruiter: Essex County Council

Mechanic (LCV/LGV) x2

£33,366 – £35,235
We are seeking a suitably qualified and experienced, LCV/LGV Mechanic Accrington, Lancashire
Recruiter: Hyndburn Borough Council

Engineer, Highways Asset Maintenance CDC

Grade 9, £38,653 - £42,728
City of Doncaster employs around 4,300 staff, who work together with Team Doncaster partners Doncaster, South Yorkshire
Recruiter: City Of Doncaster Council

Head of Fleet and Depot Services

Circa £80,000
It couldn’t be a better time to join Merton Council. Merton, London (Greater)
Recruiter: London Borough of Merton

Fleet Officer

£34,416 - £35,448
We are seeking a proactive and detail-oriented Fleet Officer to join our team. Greenwich, London (Greater)
Recruiter: Royal Borough of Greenwich

Team Leader LGV Driver

£27,711 - £30,559, Grade 6, 37 hours, Permanent
An exciting opportunity exists in the Council’s Street Scene Services for a Team Leader LGV Driver Wakefield, West Yorkshire
Recruiter: Wakefield Council

Team Leader LGV Driver (Seasonal Post)

£20,783.25 - £22,919.25, Grade 6, 27.25 hours, Permanent
An exciting opportunity exists in the Council’s Street Scene Services for a Team Leader LGV Driver Wakefield, West Yorkshire
Recruiter: Wakefield Council

Network Manager

Grade 14, £56,385 to £60,592 per annum
Ready for your next big challenge in highways management? Isle of Wight
Recruiter: Isle of Wight Council

Transport Strategy Officer

Grade 12, £45,647 to £47,966 per annum
The council are looking for a Transport Strategy Officer who will play a leading role in what is both locally and nationally a very dynamic area. Isle of Wight
Recruiter: Isle of Wight Council

Highway Asset Officer (Design/Delivery)

£34,314 - £37,938 per annum
Are you passionate about making a difference in your community? Devon
Recruiter: Devon County Council

Trainee Sign Shop Technician

£25998 - £31469
Job TitleTrainee Sign Shop Tec... Wandsworth, London, UK
Recruiter: London Borough of Richmond upon Thames and London Borough of Wandsworth

Senior Highways Technician x 2 positions - WMF1684e

£33,366 - £34,314
We are looking for strong communicators, as you will provide advice and guidance to colleagues. Kendal, Cumbria
Recruiter: Westmorland and Furness Council

Programme Control Officer - Capital Programmes - WMF1686e

£37,035 - £37,938
The Programme Control Officer role will mainly be focussed on managing and controlling a wide variety of programme delivery information. Kendal, Cumbria
Recruiter: Westmorland and Furness Council

Highways Officer - South

G7
Lincolnshire County Council
Recruiter: Lincolnshire County Council

Assistant Highways Officer - South

£26,409 - £29,093
Lincolnshire County Council would like to know how you feel about potholes! Lincolnshire / South
Recruiter: Lincolnshire County Council

Assistant Highways Officer - West

£26,409 - £29,093
Lincolnshire County Council would like to know how you feel about potholes! Lincolnshire / West
Recruiter: Lincolnshire County Council
SUBSCRIBE NOW

Latest Video

Subscribe to Highways today to ensure you keep your finger on the pulse of everything happening in the UK road network throughout the year.

SUBSCRIBE NOW