M1 traffic restrictions finish after bridge work
Lanes had been closed for construction
LONG-STANDING lane restrictions along a stretch of the M1 through Leicestershire are being removed following completion works to the new bridge linking the Lubbesthorpe SUE.
The narrow lanes between J21 and the Leicester Forest East service station which have been in place for a year
Lane restrictions along a stretch of the M1 through Leicestershire that have been in place for 12 months are being removed.
It means a final period of disruption with overnight closures from 8pm to 6am between Junctions 21 and 22 at Markfield on Saturday July 9 to 10 for the southbound carriageway and Sunday July 10 to Monday July 11 for the northbound section.
The £5 million bridge is now in place following a year of preparation and construction works.
It will serve the mammoth SUE development which will see more than 4,000 homes, a new school, supermarket and other community facilities.
The last round of closures are needed to ensure the safety of workers removing the cones and additional signs still in place.
Councillor Peter Osborne, Leicestershire County Council’s cabinet member for highways and transport, said: “The installation of the new bridge has marked an important stage of this project and now we are able to fully open all lanes of the motorway to all traffic now that people are no longer working along the carriageway.
“I’d like to thank everyone for their patience while this work has been carried out and look forward to the final phases of work to install the road on the new bridge, a key part in helping to deliver the new development.”
The narrow lanes were introduced in June 2015 while work to install a new bridge across the motorway to link Thorpe Astley with the SUE.
The £5 million for the bridge came from the Department for Transport’s Local Pinchpoint Fund and money from the Lubbesthorpe developers.
Diversion routes for local journeys include the A563, Leicester outer ring road, and the A50. Motorists travelling from further afield will be directed onto the M6 or M69 and M42/A42.
The scheme is being overseen by a project board made up of Leicestershire County Council, the New Lubbesthorpe landowners, Blaby District Council, Highways England, A-one+ and the design consultants, WSP Group.
The Lubbesthorpe SUE will be located to the west of the M1 motorway and north of the M69 and will effectively create a new town, sandwiched between the M1, Leicester Forest East and Enderby.