MPs gather in Westminster over M1 junction costing region £4.5m a year
Local MPs and stakeholders are gathering in Westminster this afternoon (Tuesday 16 May) to call for improvements to Junction 28 of the M1 in Derbyshire following a previous Westminster Hall Debate held in January.
Politicians will be joined by senior officials from the Department for Transport and National Highways.
The event will be chaired by Mark Fletcher, MP for Bolsover, and will bring together local MPs like Ashfield MP Lee Anderson as well as local businesses and councils with the Department for Transport, National Highways and Midlands Connect.
The area is a well-known pitch point and upgrading the junction is a “hugely popular” idea amongst local residents, says Midlands Connect, the transport partner of the Midlands Engine.
The organisation says that delays at junction 28 are costing the economy £4.5m and MPs are hoping to hear from local firms coming down to Westminster about what impacts its having on them and what potential upgrades could do to boost the local economy.
Local leaders are recommending that these improvements should be considered for funding as part of the Government’s upcoming Road Investment Strategies (RIS), covering the period from 2025 to 2040.
Fletcher said: “This junction is so important to my constituents. Many people in the area are stuck in delays daily as they travel to work or to appointments. Congestion is causing misery and pollution for the people of Derbyshire and Nottinghamshire.
“We are calling on the Government to work with Midlands Connect and National Highways to prioritise improvements to this junction, in line with their levelling up targets.”
Maria Machancoses, CEO of Midlands Connect, added: “Junction 28 is a key interchange in our patch. We are working with local politicians and councils to develop the best strategy for reducing delays in the area.”
