M181 Northern & Southern Junction

Esh Construction delivered two major infrastructure upgrades on the M181 in Scunthorpe on behalf of North Lincolnshire Council, constructing two new roundabouts to create both the Northern and Southern junctions.

Following on from the successful delivery of the Northern Junction in 2021, Esh was appointed to deliver the Southern Junction scheme in 2024. Both projects aimed to ease congestion and cut commuting times for the local community in the area.

The M181 Northern Junction involved constructing a new two-lane roundabout, connecting a new east to west link road between the M181 and Scotter Road. Significant earthworks were required to form raised embankments, including 15,500m3 of imported fill. Further works undertaken included landscaping and road restraint systems, and over 4,800m3 of site strip took place, including installing 400m of surface water drainage and a 300m culverted ditch.

The £5.1m Southern Junction scheme began in July 2024 and now serves as the terminating point of the motorway, facilitating future development phases connecting the M181 with Burringham Road, Lincolnshire Lakes, and the western areas of Scunthorpe. Sustainability was at the heart of the project, with recycled materials sourced within 10 miles of site and a solar hybrid generator trialled on the scheme, achieving a 74% reduction in carbon emissions compared to a traditional diesel generator.

Both schemes were procured via YORhub’s YORcivil frameworks.

While working on the Northern Junction, in partnership with YORhub, we delivered an £8,400 safety upgrade for ‘The Forge Project’, including secure fencing and a lockable gardening area. This created a safer, cleaner space for vulnerable adults and the wider community, reducing littering and vandalism.

The Southern Junction scheme also delivered meaningful social value through a range of impactful initiatives. A total of 46 apprentice weeks and 32 hours of volunteering were completed, reflecting our commitment to skills development and community engagement.

We also donated £25,000 for the refurbishment of Lindsey Lodge Hospice’s in-house café, helping to create a more welcoming and comfortable environment for patients and visitors. Alongside this, 16 tablets have been donated to the hospice to increase connectivity with loved ones for patients.