New End Date for M1 50mph Roadworks on Dangerous Smart Motorway Announced

Nottingham: The M1 roadworks are dragging on longer than planned. National Highways has admitted a mistake about the completion date. They initially said it would wrap up by January, but that’s not happening.

The work between junctions 28 and 30 is crucial. They’re adding emergency areas, which are meant to help drivers in trouble. Right now, there’s a 50mph speed limit and one lane is closed.

These emergency zones are painted bright yellow and are about 100 meters long. They’re a substitute for the hard shoulder. A spokesperson mentioned that they’re almost done with construction. After that, they’ll test the new tech before opening it up.

The goal is to finish by spring 2025. They hope to lift the speed limits by the end of March. This has been a hot topic since many accidents have happened on smart motorways.

One driving instructor, Adam Majstrow, shared his scary experience. He almost crashed into a broken-down lorry. He believes hard shoulders should be back on all motorways.

The government is investing £390 million to add more emergency areas. These spots are meant to give drivers a safe place to stop if needed. They’re clearly marked and have emergency phones for quick help.

Despite the push for safety, many drivers are still worried. Some think the design of smart motorways is flawed. They want the hard shoulder reinstated for better safety.

In May, the Department for Transport announced they’d stop new smart motorway projects. They’re focusing on improving safety on existing ones instead.