‘Big improvements’ needed at M1 junction, says MP
A DERBYSHIRE MP has joined forces with the leader of Bolsover Council to call for changes to be made to the layout of Junction 28 of the M1 motorway.
Mark Fletcher MP, who represents Bolsover, along with Councillor Steve Fritchley has written to the Department for Transport to ask for funding to be made available so work can be carried out at the junction.
It has, in recent years, become famous for the number of queues which build up every day from vehicles leaving the motorway and either heading off towards Mansfield and Nottingham or down the A38 towards Derby.
Mr Fletcher said: “Those of us who use junction 28 on a regular basis know how bad traffic can be. The layout simply can’t take the volume of traffic that passes through it on a daily basis and big improvements are needed. “Making long-term changes to the junction will drastically improve traffic flow through the area, as well as improving air quality for those that live in South Normanton and Pinxton.”
Mr Fletcher says the junction, which also carries shoppers who are going to the nearby East Midlands Designer Outlet, has suffered for years with high levels of congestion and an outdated road layout.
There are also concerns about the level of noise and air pollution from cars and HGVs that are at the junction, especially around rush hour.
Mr Fletcher said: “Junction 28 is a key part of our infrastructure network, linking South Normanton and Pinxton, Mansfield and Sutton to the wider region.
“It’s vital that we improve the junction here to help unlock potential in the south of the constituency.”