M1 improvements given go-ahead
Posted by Susannah Mayers
Plans to improve England's major north-south motorway, the M1, have been given the go-ahead by transport minister Mike Penning.
Junctions 11 (Dunstable) and 12 (Toddington) are to be upgraded so that the benefits of the Managed Motorways system is maximised.
This system includes hard shoulder running, which is currently under construction on a 15-mile stretch of the motorway between junctions ten (Luton) and 13 (Milton Keynes).
Mr Penning said that he was "pleased" to give his approval to the improvements.
"As well as improving traffic flow on the motorway, slip roads and junctions, the scheme will also provide improved facilities for cyclists and pedestrians, including a combined footway and cycleway over the A5120 at junction 12," he added.
The Highways Agency is expected to deliver the full package of motorway improvements by 2013.
Earlier in the month, Mr Penning published proposals to identify the A1 north of Newcastle to the Scottish border as a route of strategic national importance.
