Step forward for £25m M1 junction improvement plans

Plans for a £25m improvement of a major M1 junction have moved forward.Leicestershire County Council’s cabinet debated plans for the proposed work at junction 23 and the A512 on Tuesday 25 June.The authority’s councillors voted to continue preparations to deliver the project and to approach third parties to help with funding.So far, £17m of grant funding has been secured towards the costs of the scheme with £12m coming from the Local Growth Fund (via the LLEP) and £5m from the Growth and Housing Fund (Highways England).The remainder of the scheme costs will be forward funded by the county council ahead of contributions from developers (currently estimated at approximately £8m).The council has said the scheme will reduce disruption on a critical part of the county’s road network, ‘future proof’ the area in preparation for planned growth and unlock employment and housing sites.