Warning of M1 disruption for barrier work

A £2.4 million project to install a concrete safety barrier along the M1 near Rotherham will get underway after the Christmas and New Year holiday.

Work to replace the existing steel safety barrier in the central reservation of the motorway west of Thurcroft near Rotherham will start on Tuesday, January 3 and is expected to last almost three months.

The Highways Agency, which is doing the engineering works, says that concrete 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 thought to be unlikely to require repairs after accidents.

As well as the barrier works, some resurfacing will also be taking place during the project along a one-and-a-half mile stretch of the motorway around junction 32 and including the section where motorway and the M18 are linked.

A Highways Agency spokesman said: “Work will be taking place around the clock with the permanent closure of the outside lane in both directions to allow safe working in the central reservation.

“However, the hard shoulder will be used as a running lane to maintain usable lanes in both directions, although a 50mph speed limit will be in place past the roadworks for the safety of drivers and roadworkers.

“Narrowed lanes will also be in place and some overnight closures of the southbound and northbound carriageways, on different dates, will be required with clearly signed diversions in place using the link roads onto the M18.

“Some of the overnight closures of the M18 link roads will also be required again with some short and clearly-signed diversions in place.

“Occasional, whole-weekend, lane two closures along the northbound carriageway will also be required.”

Highways Agency project sponsor Tim Calvert said: “The existing steel barrier has reached the end of its serviceable life and its replacement with a concrete barrier will improve safety for road users.

“It will also improve the safety of our roadworkers as the new barrier will require less maintenance as it is less likely to be damaged in barrier strikes and require subsequent repairs.

“This will also reduce inconvenience to motorway users.

“During lane and the occasional overnight carriageway closures we will also be taking the opportunity to carry out some general repairs and maintenance including some resurfacing.”