Safety work on the M1 central barriers in South Yorkshire is to start two years early to give the local economy a boost it has been revealed today. The work, phase three, is part of the Department for Transport's £700 million fiscal stimulus package and will replace the steel central reservation barriers on a four-mile stretch of motorway with a safer concrete barriers.

The new barriers are stronger and more robust, reducing the risk of vehicles involved in accidents crossing from one side of the motorway to the other and improving the safety of road users and road workers. The barriers are also unlikely to require repairs after vehicle impact.

Road users are being advised that from Saturday 19th September 2009, the M1, between junctions 35 and 35a will have three narrow lanes in each direction until December 23rd 2009 and a 50mph speed limit will be in in place as the steel central reservation barrier is replaced. Speed cameras will be in operation during these works.

When the £16.4 million work is complete, a concrete barrier will run between junctions 35 and 35a. Drainage will also be improved.

Highways Agency Project Sponsor Sujad Hussain said: "Fiscal stimulus funding from the Department for Transport will enable the agency to deliver £400 million of accelerated works this financial year, including this barrier replacement scheme which will increase safety on the M1 in South Yorkshire."

These works are also currently taking place in South Yorkshire on the M1 between junctions 32 and 35 and are also taking place on the M180 between junctions 1 and 2.

Thanks,
Staff at South Yorkshire Transport