People living near a junction of the M1 where experts say delays are costing the economy millions of pounds every year say that using the road can often be dangerous. Midlands Connect, a government-funded transport body, released research claiming that there are more than 1,100 hours of delays at junction 28 of the M1, costing the economy £4.5 million per year.
The issue has been raised in Westminster and Nottinghamshire County Council leader Ben Bradley says he is hoping that action will be taken. South Normanton is a Derbyshire village lying just over the Nottinghamshire border and which is situated right near junction 28.
Noise issues and hours of delays for journeys that once took a fraction of the time are among the issues raised by residents living there. The local MP says that just 9% of people in a recent survey of his described the junction as 'safe' or 'very safe'.
Read more: Bus diversions as Nottinghamshire village flood leads to emergency road closure
Residents who Nottinghamshire Live spoke to instead said that there was a huge danger in using the junction. Sarah Farmery, in her late 40s, said: "I have heard it being talked about a lot because it is a problem and a long time ago there was a lot of discussion about building a flyover. It is dangerous when you end up queuing in the live lanes, which nobody wants to do but which you sometimes have to because there is so much delay.
"I do think there is a lot more traffic along the road now as well and they keep putting up all these factories around here. Especially when it's windy, you can really hear the noise of the traffic."
The noise coming from the motorway was the main issue raised by Gary Naylor, 62, who said: "We've got the M1 and the A38 right near here and the noise from both is going to end up driving me mad. I think noise pollution needs to be taken seriously because it is ridiculous now.
"I went out this morning just to go to Alfreton and on the way back I could just see miles and miles of queues. The main reason I use the M1 is to go to Bramhall Lane to see Sheffield United and that was a trip that at one time I could do in 35 minutes, now I'm lucky to do it in an hour and 35 minutes."
Another South Normanton resident, who has lived there since 1995 and did not want to be named, said: "It is difficult sometimes and particularly at the peak periods, when you can often end up queuing in a live lane which is obviously dangerous. This is a busy area because the East Midlands Outlet is nearby and there are the hotels closer to the M1 itself, so there is so much traffic that is trying to get to this area.
"There is the talk of the flyover for the A38 but I'm not sure if that would be the best idea because you'd have to build it so high and you'd end up with three levels of traffic. I do think something needs to be done but I don't think there are any easy answers on this one."
Mary Leese, 62, added: "If I'd have known when I moved here what I know now, then I don't think we'd have bought this place. As soon as we got here in 1994, people were saying that something needs to be done about junction 28.
"At one point I remember that we all had letters from solicitors saying that we were entitled to compensation because of the disruption that the junction was causing, but obviously that didn't happen. There have also been pollution surveys done in the area because of the sheer amount of traffic that is travelling so close to us.
"The level of traffic has really increased because it is such a major route for people going to Nottingham and Derby. My husband used to leave 15 minutes before he started work, but now he's having to leave at least an hour early. They are going to have to do something, but I won't be holding my breath."
Swati Mittal, the Strategic Roads Manager at Midlands Connect, said: "Junction 28 of the M1 is a critical pinch point on the network and Midlands Connect's latest research shows what massive impact improvements could make. These astounding figures show that we could boost the economy but over £4 million a year by dealing with the issue but also give back to businesses and residents over a 1000 of their time and avoid them having to sit in logjams day after day."
Midlands Connect is recommending that improvements at the junction should be considered for funding as part of the Government's third Road Investment Strategy, which will cover the period from 2025 until 2030. This strategy is due to be published next year.
READ NEXT:
- Police cordon in place on Nottingham road as man, 27, in hospital with serious injuries
- Mystery as 'fantastic' Nottinghamshire village pub closes
- I visited the friendly, best-reviewed city centre bakery with a shop front you can’t miss
- Murderer Michael O'Brien makes confession: ''100% it was me'
- Criminals target Volkswagen GTIs and GTDs near City Ground during Nottingham Forest match
