Next phase of £112m smart motorway scheme near Rotherham underway

The next stage of a £112m scheme to transform the M1 from Rotherham to Stocksbridge into a smart motorway will begin later this week.

From Wednesday 7 October, Highways England contractors will install narrow lanes along with a 50mph speed limit, which is already in place between junction 32 at Rotherham and junction 34 at Sheffield.

As part of the scheme, the industry’s latest technology will be installed to monitor traffic levels, provide traffic information to road users, and ease congestion by using variable speed limits on overhead message signs.

In addition, the hard shoulder will also be permanently converted into an extra lane between junction 32 at Rotherham and junction 35a at Stocksbridge to provide extra capacity.

Andy Kirk, Highways England’s senior project manager, said: “Work on the scheme is progressing well and we are now in a position to start the work between junctions 32 and 34. Narrow lanes are being introduced along the route and a 50mph speed limit is in place for the safety of workers and drivers.

“When complete, road users will benefit from reduced congestion and more reliable journey times as a result of the hard shoulder being converted to an extra lane and variable mandatory speed limits being used to keep traffic moving.”

Roadworks have already been lifted between junctions 30 and 31 along the M1 as part of another smart motorway scheme. Roadworks are due to be removed between junctions 29a and 30 later this month.

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