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TMCNet: UK Government: M1 widening scheme wins Civil Service 'Programme and Project Management' award

[November 20, 2009]

UK Government: M1 widening scheme wins Civil Service 'Programme and Project Management' award

The Highways Agency M1 J6A, Nov 20, 2009 (M2 PRESSWIRE via COMTEX) -- 10 widening scheme project team is celebrating after achieving success in the Programme and Project Management Award category at the Civil Service Awards in London on 17 November.


The widening scheme, implemented on one of the busiest stretches of the Agency's network - with more than 160,000 vehicles on average using it every day - was completed five weeks ahead of schedule and to budget and has created a number of benefits to road users including improved safety levels, reduced congestion and more reliable journey times.

Graham Dalton, Highways Agency Chief Executive, congratulated the team on their win: "This award was won against stiff competition, and reflects the high standards set by the Highways Agency M1 project team. It clearly shows that the Agency is capable of delivering difficult and complex projects to exceptional standards that benefit our customers and the economy.

"The M1 J6a to J10 widening scheme is a testament to the high standards of delivery and quality that the Agency prides itself on.' Sir Gus O'Donnell, Cabinet Secretary and Head of the Home Civil Service who presented the awards, said: "These awards highlight the Civil Service's commitment to encouraging innovation and excellence whilst providing the best public services and value for money for the public.' Work to widen the M1 started in March 2006. The widened road was opened to traffic in December 2008, with the official completion ceremony held in January 2009. The scheme, which cost around GBP300 million, added an extra lane to the M1 in both directions, with 10 new bridges built and 10 existing under-bridges widened. In the construction of the scheme 525,000 tonnes of asphalt, 430,000 tonnes of capping, 155,000 tonnes of sub base and 85,100m3 of concrete were used.

On site the scheme had a high safety record, with over 1.5 million working hours delivered without a reported worker accident.

Notes to editors 1. The Highways Agency is an executive agency of the Department for Transport. We manage, maintain and improve England's motorways and trunk roads on behalf of the Secretary of State.

2. The Civil Service Awards were funded through the sponsorship of Civil Service World in association with Ernst and Young 3. Real-time traffic information for England's motorways and major A roads is available: - From our Traffic Radio service, available on DAB digital radio and the internet at www.trafficradio.org.uk To tune into the DAB service, simply press the "scan" button on your radio. The radio will tune into all available channels and you can select the new service by scrolling through the channels until you reach "Traffic Radio".

- From the web at www.highways.gov.uk/traffic or www.highways.gov.uk/mobile if using a phone or mobile device.

Before using any mobile, find a safe place to park. Never stop on the hard shoulder of a motorway except in an emergency. Make sure it's safe and legal before you call.

- By phone from the Highways Agency 24-hour voice activated phone service on 08700 660 115. (Calls from BT residential landlines to 0870 numbers will cost no more than 8p per minute; call charges from other landlines and mobile networks may vary).

4. For more general information about the Highways Agency and its work, visit the Highways Agency website www.highways.gov.uk, or telephone the Highways Agency Information Line on 08457 50 40 30 at any time (Calls to 0845 numbers will cost no more than 4p per minute from BT residential landlines. Call charges from other landlines and mobile networks may vary).

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CONTACT: NDS Enquiries e-mail: ndsenquiries@coi.gsi.gov.uk Highways Agency National Press Office Tel: +44 (0) 207 081 7443 Kelly Logan, Highways Agency National Press Office Tel: +44(0) 207 153 4824 ((M2 Communications disclaims all liability for information provided within M2 PressWIRE. Data supplied by named party/parties. Further information on M2 PressWIRE can be obtained at http://www.presswire.net on the world wide web. Inquiries to info@m2.com.

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