Scrapyard Fire Prompts Government Review

18 April 2011

Disruption caused by a scrapyard fire which forced the closure of the M1 (between J1 and J4, Elstree) since Friday morning has prompted a review of what businesses should be allowed to operate under motorways

The skip yard blaze has caused the disruption of thousands of drivers visiting the capital for this weekend's FA Cup semi-finals and the London Marathon.

It also led to severe disruption for Barnet residents as the extra traffic is squeezed onto smaller local roads as a diversion.

Heat from the fire, which started before 6am on Friday, caused tarmac to bubble on the motorway and 200 tonnes of steel support girders have so far been laid to help support traffic.

Despite attempts to re-start traffic, the road remains closed southbound and only two lanes are open northbound. It is predicted that the road will remain closed over Easter.

Transport Secretary Philip Hammond told BBC1's Politics Show that a review of businesses that operate under motorways will take place as a result of the disruption.

He said: "We are going to need to look very carefully about what kind of activities we can allow to take place under elevated motorways.

"Once we have seen the scale of impact that a fire can have in a scrapyard under a motorway, everyone will agree it is inappropriate to have scrapyards under elevated

motorways and we will have to take action to ensure that inappropriate uses are eliminated under motorways."

Darrel Moore