Transport group says major M1 junction is ‘full’
Congestion getting on and off the motorway was costing the area, Midlands Connect said
- Published
One of the junctions of the M1 in Derbyshire is being pushed beyond its design capacity, according to a new study.
Analysis released by Midlands Connect has found three roads off junction 28, near Pinxton, are more than 100% full during rush hour.
The worst, the A38 towards Alfreton going westbound, reaches 107% of what it was designed to handle, which equates to 2,302 cars, vans and HGVs using it per hour.
The organisation said increasing capacity would improve air quality and encourage business growth.
Gridlock problems
Midlands Connect is a transport focused group made up of local authorities, businesses and representatives of government bodies.
The study found the northbound M1 slip road saw the equivalent of 1,104 vehicles an hour - 104% of its planned capacity.
It found the Mansfield Road slip road clocked up 102%, the M1 southbound slip road stood at 82% capacity and the A38 going towards Sutton-in-Ashfield was at 91%.
Only one road, the A38 left filter lane towards the M1 had much capacity left, with 38% of space being used in the rush hour.
Midlands Connect says the M1 north-bound slip road is the busiest part of junction 28
Midlands Connect's integrated transport programme lead, Swati Mittal, said: “Junction 28 has struggled for many years with gridlock, and we are keen to get solutions moving to fix this.
"Drivers have been snarled up in traffic which impacts residents and businesses in and around Derbyshire, Nottinghamshire and beyond.
“An intervention in this area is necessary to facilitate growth, jobs and allow us to deliver the growth aspirations of South Normanton, Pinxton and the wider region.”
A Department of Transport spokesperson said: “We are committed to improving our road network to benefit all users and reduce congestion.
“National Highways is in the early stages of exploring solutions to improve safety and journey times on this junction.”
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