A Public Inquiry to consider objections to the proposed improvements to the M1 Junction 19 at Catthorpe will start next month.
The inquiry looking at proposals to improve the interchange on the Northamptonshire/Leicestershire border opens on Tuesday, March 5, at 10am.
The interchange links up the M1, M6 and A14 and is used by more than 140,000 vehicles a day. The proposed Highways Agency scheme would improve journey time reliability and safety by reducing congestion and road traffic collisions.
The inquiry is the next step in the statutory process and provides a chance for all points of view to be heard and considered before recommendations are put to the Secretary of State for Transport and the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government.
It will be held at the Holiday Inn, Rugby/Northampton, at Crick, and will be chaired by the independent Public Inquiry Inspector, Diane Lewis.
Representatives from the Highways Agency will be present to explain their proposals. There will be opportunities for those individuals affected who wish to speak in support of, make representations about or object to the proposals.
Any alternatives proposed by objectors will also be considered by the Inspector.
Last year, the Tory MP for Rugby, Mark Pawsey, said it was good news that an inquiry was taking place. He said: “I’m hoping there won’t be any objections to the proposed scheme. Then we can get the bulldozers and diggers on site quicker. Let’s get on with it and stop all these accidents happening.”
The long-awaited improvement work, which would provide free flow links between the M6 and A14 and between the M1 and A14, was put on hold in 2010 by the Government due to spending reviews. It was thought the work would have to be postponed until at least 2015, but at the end of 2011 it was announced the work would be brought forward and begin earlier than planned.
Further information about the Highways Agency’s proposals is available at www.highways.gov.uk/roads/road-projects/m1-junction-19-improvement-scheme
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