Erewash MP Maggie Throup used her question to the Prime Minister to call for a new Junction 25A on the M1 motorway.
As part of her plan for Erewash, Maggie has pledged to tackle the growing problem of congestion across the local area and sees a new motorway junction as integral to achieving this.
During the weekly session of PMQs Maggie asked:
“Given the imminence of the final decision on the eastern route of HS2, phase two, it is imperative that we invest in new road infrastructure to support the additional traffic that that will bring to the areas around the new station hubs. With that in mind, will my right hon. Friend back my campaign for a new Junction 25a of the M1 to ensure that Erewash residents do not get stuck in a jam?”
To which the Prime Minister Replied:
“I seem to recall that I first met my hon. Friend when she was campaigning in relation to motorways. She is right that in order to support the rail infrastructure, we need to ensure that the right roads infrastructure is in place. That is why we are investing £15 billion in the road investment strategy, which is about boosting local economies and further economic growth. I understand that Highways England is looking at the issues in the east midlands and at bringing forward significant new road enhancements around the expected site of the new east midlands HS2 station. Going forward it is looking at an audit of roads in the area. I trust that on this issue my hon. Friend will make her voice heard, and that of her constituents, as she has in the past.”
Maggie later commented:
“At the heart of my plan for Erewash is the desire to improve the lives of local residents.
“Undoubtable congestion is a major concern across Erewash and having discussed many options with a both residents and our local Council, it is quite clear to me that we need to take a radical new approach.
“Establishing a new motorway junction would not only help relieve the current gridlock that exists at peak times through Sandiacre and the wider area, but also prevent people from using Stanton-by-Dale as a rat run to and from the present junction on Bostocks Lane.
“It would also have major benefits when it comes to managing the increase in traffic from both the Stanton Ironworks development and the new HS2 Hub which is likely to be sited at nearby Toton.
“I will continue to push the case for Junction 25a with the relevant bodies, including Highways England and The Department for Transport, to ensure my constituents are served by a road network that is fit for the twenty first century.”