Fourth lane to be introduced on North Kirklees M1 stretch

The hard shoulders, between junction 39 and junction 42 at Lofthouse, will become the extra lane later this year.

And variable speed limits will also be introduced on the stretch of motorway.

The Highways Agency said the changes would improve traffic flow on the six-mile stretch without compromising safety.

People will get to have their say on the final plan this weekend and next weekend, before the work begins.

Lynne Biddles, Highways Agency senior project manager for the scheme, said: “This will provide much-needed extra capacity, easing congestion and making journey times more reliable for the 113,000 vehicles – a quarter of which are HGVs – that use this stretch each day.

“This in turn will support economic growth.

“We know this will be a totally new concept for many people, so we want to listen to any comments and answer questions that members of the public and local residents may have about the scheme, such as how it will operate, what to do if they break down and how we plan to deliver the improvements. We will carefully respond to everything that is raised.”

This weekend’s exhibition on the plans will take place at Cedar Court Hotel, Wakefield, on Friday from noon until 8pm and on Saturday from 10am until 4pm.

And the following weekend it will be at the Holiday Inn, near Ossett, on Friday, February 8, from 10am until 8pm, and on Saturday, February 9, from 10am until 4pm.

People can also find out about the plans at www.highways.gov.uk/roads/road-projects/m1-junctions-39-42-managed-motorway or by calling 0300 123 5000.