M621 Junctions 1-7 Statutory Instrument Consultation: Proposed Slip Road and Mainline Speed Limit Amendments

Overview

Investing in your roads

At National Highways, we engineer the future to keep people moving today and better-connected tomorrow which is why we strive to improve our major roads and motorways, making sure all our roads are more dependable, durable and, most importantly, safe. 

We believe in a connected country where our network makes these connections happen. Our roads link with railway stations, ports, and airports to give people a choice of travel and to support interconnectivity. When it comes to getting people where they need to be, we provide three times more miles per person than the railways.

About us

We operate, maintain, and improve England’s motorways and major A-roads and our network totals around 4,300 miles. While this represents only 2% of all roads in England by length, these roads carry a third of all traffic by mileage and two-thirds of all heavy goods traffic. Our road network forms the economic back bone of the country, is open 24 hours a day, seven days a week and is relied on by communities and businesses to get from A to B.

Yorkshire North East: connectivity without congestion

A 670-mile network of motorways and A roads sits at the heart of the transport network in Yorkshire and the North East and provides access to international gateways – from ports at Grimsby and Immingham and Tees and Hartlepool, to airports at Teesside and Leeds-Bradford, our road system in Yorkshire and the North East supports business growth. 

From the city roads of Leeds and Newcastle to rural single carriageways, we keep our region moving. Every year, our network brings tourism to our stunning natural, cultural and historic attractions and connects the millions of holidaymakers who travel across the country to discover some of our hotspots like the Yorkshire Dales National Park and Northumberland’s picture-perfect castle-lined coastline.

The counties of South Yorkshire, West Yorkshire, North Yorkshire and East Riding of Yorkshire all have their own delights to offer, including, York, Scarborough and Beverley whilst further north, motorists can discover majestic Durham and its famous Cathedral and the cosmopolitan yet historic Tyne and Wear. No matter what type of travel our customers embark on, the Strategic Road Network in Yorkshire and the North East is one of the most diverse areas of motorways and major A-roads in the country to maintain and keep moving, so that we all get home safe and well, every day.

Why your views matter

M621 Junctions 1-7

The M621 J1-7 scheme was confirmed in the Government’s first Roads Investment Strategy (RIS1) in 2014, with construction commencing in August 2022. It is a critical part of the RIS1 investment on our network and anticipates improving journeys between Leeds city centre and the surrounding road network, which is great news for the local and regional economy.

Why the scheme is needed

An urban motorway which runs from junction 27 of the M62 to junction 43 of the M1, the M621 is a vital link between Leeds city centre and the surrounding road network. With economic growth expected in the region in the future, the Government announced proposals to provide more reliable and improved journey times for people using the M621 between junctions 1 and 7 as part of their RIS1 and aims to meet the following objectives:

• Increase capacity and improve journey time reliability
• Improve the safety on the route for road users
• Provide better and real time information to road users
• Avoid potential environmental impacts of the scheme and enhance, where possible, the natural environment
• Support Leeds City Council's development plans to improve the transport network in Leeds 

Getting to this stage: what are we proposing?

As part of the M621 J1-7 scheme, National Highways has reviewed the speed limits along the M621 motorway. As a result, we are proposing to change the speed limits on certain entry and exit slip roads between junctions 1 to 7 of the M621. This will ensure that appropriate speed limits are in place on all slip roads. We are also proposing to make permanent the current temporary 50mph speed limit in the eastbound direction between junctions 6 and 7.

In addition, average speed enforcement cameras between junctions 1 and 5 will be installed as part of the scheme and the proposed changes are required to facilitate this upgrade.

What we’re consulting you on

National Highways and the M621 Junctions 1-7 scheme is now consulting interested parties to comment on our proposal to:

• amend the speed limits on entry and exit slip roads between junctions 1 to 7 on the M621 motorway in Leeds,
• extend the 50mph speed limit on the M621 eastbound from junction 6 to junction 7.

The proposed amendments will support National Highways in making a new Statutory Instrument. This statutory instrument will amend the M621 Motorway (Speed Limit) Regulations 2000 (SI 2000 No 1811), which (alongside the M621 Motorway (Speed Limit) (Amendment) Regulations 2007 (SI 2007 No 349), govern speed limits on the M621 motorway between junctions 1 and 7.

Why your views matter

This Statutory Instrument consultation concerns National Highways proposed amendments to speed limits on slip roads on the M621 motorway between junctions 1 to 7, and our proposal to make permanent the temporary 50mph speed limit on the M621 eastbound from junction 6 to junction 7.

Click on the image below to view our junction locations in relation to our proposals.

These changes are required as part of the M621 Junctions 1 to 7 Improvement Scheme. The speed limit changes will improve road safety by ensuring that appropriate limits are in place on all slip roads. They will also facilitate the installation of speed camera enforcement measures.

Before you share your views, please refer to our Consultation Document where we explain our proposed changes for the scheme. We also provide you with details of how you can give us your feedback during our Statutory Instrument public consultation. Before we make the Statutory Instrument and the Secretary of State for Transport signs it, thus approving our proposals (making the law), it is important you share your views, specifically on how the proposal could affect you, your organisation or those you represent and submit your response by 11:59pm on 23 January 2024. Please note that views received after the consultation closes may not be considered.  

Join the conversation: how to respond to this consultation

It’s important that we consider your views before we submit a Statutory Instrument to the Secretary of State for Transport. It is vital we listen to feedback from anyone with an interest in our proposals. This is your chance to have your say and we welcome your feedback on our proposed changes.

Our Consultation Document explains our proposals for this Statutory Instrument consultation that will run between 28 November 2023 and 23 January 2024. Please ensure that your response reaches us by 11:59pm on 23 January 2024. Submissions received after this date may not be considered. 

You can respond to this consultation by completing our online survey by clicking on the link below or by downloading our survey and returning it to us by:

• email at: m621j1to7@nationalhighways.co.uk
• by post via the following addresses: M621 Junctions 1-7 Project Team, Statutory Instrument Consultation, National Highways Limited, 2 City Walk, Leeds, LS11 9AR.

Where to get more information

A copy of our Consultation Document explaining our proposed changes are available on this page. Alternatively, you can call us on 0333 090 1192 or email  m621j1to7@nationalhighways.co.uk to discuss our proposals with a member of the project team or request a copy of the Consultation Document in alternative formats.

What happens next

Once our Statutory Instrument consultation closes at 11:59pm on 23 January 2024 we will then review all feedback received. We will take time to analyse and consider your views before we publish a consultation report which will be made available on our scheme webpage. Subject to results of the consultation, we envisage that the proposed changes would be operational by July 2024.

Related documents

Below you will find links to documents related to this Statutory Instrument consultation that will help inform your understanding of our proposals in order to help support your feedback. If you experience any issues accessing any materials, contact a member of the Project Team by emailing: m621j1to7@nationalhighways.co.uk or by calling: 03330 901 192.