Question to the Department for Transport:

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, pursuant to the answer of 17 February 2026 to Question 111859, whether a departure from standard was approved for the replacement of central reserve barrier on the A1(M) between Junctions 61 and 62.

Yes, in this instance a departure from standard was reviewed and approved by National Highways’ Technical Specialists. Any departures of this sort are assessed on a site-specific basis, with each installation representing an improvement on the barrier it replaces. The newly installed barrier system at this location meets required safety standards and is of a type that has been thoroughly tested to confirm the type and weight of vehicles it can contain.