Experts have warned that motorway closures could see thousands of drivers impacted by long delays in a move that could cost millions of pounds a day.
New data has revealed that the unplanned closure of the M1 between Junctions 28 and 29 would result in "substantial economic losses".
Midlands Connect estimates that it could cost a staggering £113million a day, given the increased travel times and delays, as there is no equivalent alternative route.
The transport organisation is now calling for improvements to be made to Junction 28 of the M1, at the intersection with the A38.
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Experts are warning that delays at J28 of the M1 could cost more than £100million a day
MIDLANDS CONNECT
They argue that any positive changes to the area would lead to less congestion, faster journey times and fewer closures.
Data shows that an additional 81,830 trips would be made every week if improvements were given the green light.
Swati Mittal, Roads Programme Lead at Midlands Connect, warned that drivers would bear the brunt of the issues unless progress is made.
She added: "It can result in significant economic losses if the road between M1 Junctions 28 and 29 is closed due to any unforeseen circumstances, and can be extremely frustrating for the drivers.
Experts note that drivers travelling along Junction 28 of the M1 already deal with delays
NATIONAL HIGHWAYS
"We now know that there isn't an equivalent alternative route for that location in case of any mishap, and therefore we must ensure that the existing infrastructure is upgraded to minimise the risks of any such disruptions that can cost the economy millions.
"This is further strong evidence to support Midlands Connect's plans to upgrade the junction, in the hopes of preventing more delays and problems."
Midlands Connect, local MPs, councils and businesses are now calling for the project to be included in the upcoming Road Investment Strategies.
The previous Road Investment Strategy (RIS2) was introduced in March 2020 and covered the period from April of the same year until March 2025.
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Former Transport Secretary Grant Shapps and Under Secretary of State for Transport Baroness Vere of Norbiton said at the time that £27.4billion would be invested in the five-year timeframe.
The "strategic vision" of the report was to enable "safe, reliable, predictable, rapid, often long-distance, journeys" for drivers and passengers across England.
The Department for Transport is expected to release the Road Investment Strategy for 2025-2030 in the near future.
There have also been calls for other schemes along the M1 route to be included in future rounds, between 2025 and 2040.
The M1 is one of the busiest motorways in the UKPANatalie Fleet, MP for Bolsover, has consistently called for improvements to be made to the M1 route to ensure drivers are now impacted by long delays.
The Junction 28 Parliamentary Champion added: "This research highlights the scale of the challenge we face at Junction 28, and why upgrading this junction is so important.
"I've been working closely with National Highways and the Department for Transport, holding regular meetings to keep this issue firmly on the Government's radar.
"I've also raised the impact of congestion at Junction 28 in Parliament, making clear that resolving this is an absolute priority. I will keep pushing for the necessary improvements until this problem is fixed and our local economy and communities can move more freely."