M1 junction 32 to 35a emergency area retrofit

From June 2023 we are set to build an additional 12 emergency areas on the M1 between junction 32 (Thurcroft) and junction 35a (Stocksbridge). This is in addition to the existing 8 emergency areas.

Start date June 2023

End date Winter 2024

Cost TBC

Latest updates

11 September 2024

September - our work is going well

Our work to retrofit 13 emergency areas between junctions 32 to 35A began in June 2023 and is going well.

We're often working where you can't see us - at the bottom of embankments or below the road. This sometimes makes it look like nobody is working on site.

For example, between junctions 33 and 34, we've built earthworks for an emergency area using 20,000kg of recycled material. It was significant job, but you may not have seen us working on it.

Building the embankment between junction 33 and 34 - out of sight from the motorway.

We've also removed all our temporary vehicle restraint system between J34 and J35 on the M1.

The is a key Milestone for us. It allows us to start commissioning technology.

Traffic management

Lanes two, three and four will be full width and open to traffic.

Lane one will remain coned off to allow us to complete finishing works.

A reduced speed limit (50mph) is still in place for safety. This is because all the technology won't be fully active at this stage.

We'll continue to monitor the motorway with CCTV. There is a free recovery service if you break down.

When this phase of work is finished, we'll update you about what’s happening next on the scheme.

Please remember that closures can change at short notice. You can check the latest information on our daily closures page or find live travel information on our Traffic England site. Our travel alerts give details of live incidents on our network.

See more updates

Project information

We have listened to drivers' concerns about being able to find a safe place to stop in an emergency on all lane running (ALR) smart motorways.

We have been developing a programme to create additional emergency areas on sections of ALR motorway across the country, including an additional 12 emergency areas on the M1 between junctions 32 and 35A, in addition to the existing eight.

To help us carry out the upgrade safely, the left-hand lane will be closed throughout construction. Lanes two, three and four will remain open with a 50mph speed limit in place.

All existing emergency areas on the M1 will remain open wherever possible throughout construction.

At limited locations where it is necessary to temporarily close an emergency area, a new temporary emergency area will be provided nearby and clearly signed.

A section of hard shoulder over the Tinsley viaduct south of junction 34 will remain in place, though for a period during construction drivers will need to pass between cones to access it.

The upgrade is part of work to add more emergency areas to all lane running motorways across the country.

On motorways that don’t have a permanent hard shoulder, emergency areas provide a place to stop in an emergency if you can't exit the motorway or stop at a motorway service area.

They are clearly signed at regular intervals along the motorway and have bright orange road surfaces to help you identify them. At 100 metres long, they have plenty of space for even the largest lorry plus a recovery vehicle and they are equipped with emergency telephones linking directly to our control rooms to get help on the way quickly.