24 February 2006
Mike attended the a Highways Authority exhibition at the Holiday Inn, Markyate on the M1 widening scheme and car-sharing pilot to be implemented on the same section of the M1.
Mike Penning welcomes the long-awaited widening of the M1, but calls the decision to build a new lane in each direction and then to restrict access to these lanes as “bonkers”.
On 24th February Mike Penning attended a Highways Agency exhibition about the widening of the M1 between junctions 6a and 10. On completion of the project in 2008, the Government will introduce a trial car-sharing lane (or in Government-speak “High Occupancy Vehicle (HOV) Lane”) where one lane is specially reserved for cars carrying more than one person is due to be implemented between Junctions 7 to 10.
The new design also incorporates separation of the road from Hemel to St Albans and the downgrading of the M10. It will not then be necessary to join the M1 and leave it again between junctions 7 and 8.
After visiting the exhibition, Mike Penning said:
“This project was agreed in the mid-1990s but was delayed by the Government. I welcome the fact that it is now to go ahead as it will relieve some of the traffic problems in the Hemel area.
“However, I can’t see the logic in introducing car-sharing lanes here. There doesn’t seem to be anywhere in the country where this has been successful. It is nothing short of bonkers to widen the road and then restrict access to the new lanes.
“The new separate roads between Hemel and St Albans are a good idea, but I worry that the downgrading of the M10 to the A414 will be an additional burden for the County Highways Department. I call on the Highways Authority to ensure the funding follows the responsibility, otherwise local Hertfordshire taxpayers will yet again be footing the bill for national infrastructure.”
Mike continued:
“I am also concerned at the location of the project officers of the contractors. They have been located very close to Buncefield, a decision which was based on Health & Safety Executive guidance given before the explosion. I will be writing to the HSE to ask that this guidance is re-appraised to ensure the safety of people working there.”
Mike Penning welcomes the long-awaited widening of the M1, but calls the decision to build a new lane in each direction and then to restrict access to these lanes as “bonkers”.
On 24th February Mike Penning attended a Highways Agency exhibition about the widening of the M1 between junctions 6a and 10. On completion of the project in 2008, the Government will introduce a trial car-sharing lane (or in Government-speak “High Occupancy Vehicle (HOV) Lane”) where one lane is specially reserved for cars carrying more than one person is due to be implemented between Junctions 7 to 10.
The new design also incorporates separation of the road from Hemel to St Albans and the downgrading of the M10. It will not then be necessary to join the M1 and leave it again between junctions 7 and 8.
After visiting the exhibition, Mike Penning said:
“This project was agreed in the mid-1990s but was delayed by the Government. I welcome the fact that it is now to go ahead as it will relieve some of the traffic problems in the Hemel area.
“However, I can’t see the logic in introducing car-sharing lanes here. There doesn’t seem to be anywhere in the country where this has been successful. It is nothing short of bonkers to widen the road and then restrict access to the new lanes.
“The new separate roads between Hemel and St Albans are a good idea, but I worry that the downgrading of the M10 to the A414 will be an additional burden for the County Highways Department. I call on the Highways Authority to ensure the funding follows the responsibility, otherwise local Hertfordshire taxpayers will yet again be footing the bill for national infrastructure.”
Mike continued:
“I am also concerned at the location of the project officers of the contractors. They have been located very close to Buncefield, a decision which was based on Health & Safety Executive guidance given before the explosion. I will be writing to the HSE to ask that this guidance is re-appraised to ensure the safety of people working there.”