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New completion date listed for M1 works

National Highways An image if the M1 near Luton which shows a completed emergency area at the side of the four-lane motorway. It is on the left-hand side of the image and is 100 metres long and bright yellow in colour.National Highways
Additional emergency areas like this one are being built between junctions 28 and 30 of the M1

Work to build emergency areas along the M1 in Derbyshire will not be completed until the end of March.

National Highways began building 20 emergency lay-bys between junction 28 at Pinxton and junction 30 at Barlborough in April 2024.

The completion date for the works was previously listed as "by the end of January" on the organisation's website.

However, a spokesperson told the BBC it was an "error" and the website had now been updated.

Midlands Connect An aerial view of the flyover roundabout at J28 Pinxton. There is heavy traffic on the roundabout and includes HGVs and cars. Midlands Connect
The works along the stretch begin at junction 28 near Pinxton (pictured)

The website was amended on Wednesday and now states the work is due to be completed by the end of March.

The areas are dotted at regular intervals along the motorway and have bright road surfaces to help motorists identify them.

At 100m long, they have space for large lorries and a recovery vehicle.

They are equipped with emergency telephones linking directly to National Highways control rooms.

National Highways A view of an emergency area along the M1. The new area is yellow in colour and is sat at the side of the four-lane carriageway.National Highways
National Highways are installing new emergency areas across the M1 and M5

Smart motorway technology identifies stopped vehicles and closes lanes using overhead signs, but drivers said the shortage of safe places to stop in an emergency had resulted in serious accidents and deaths.

A National Highways spokesperson said: "Construction of the emergency areas between junctions 28 and 30 of the M1 is nearing completion and this will be followed by testing and calibration of the technology before they can be opened.

"We remain on course to open the new emergency areas by the end of March, with a lifting of the speed restrictions and a return to the national speed limit."

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