Following a fire on Friday 15 April which caused major disruption on the M1 motorway, the Government has ordered an audit of roads and railways at risk of possible industrial accidents.
The fire underneath a raised section of the M1 in North London had severe effects on road travel.
However, it may also have a more long-term effect on the safety of British infrastructure.
The blaze originated from a scrapyard in Mill Hill and necessitated a seven mile stretch of road to be closed from junctions 1 to 4 of the major motorway.
The fire has caused concern over the possibility of similar accidents damaging more stretches of infrastructure.
The Government has asked chief executives of both Network Rail and the Highways Agency to provide details of possible areas at risk from damage in the future – including all sites where industrial activity takes place below or near roads and railways.
This audit is expected to result in a Department of Transport report within the next six weeks, according to BBC News.
About the matter, Transport Secretary Philip Hammond said:
“It is crucial that we learn the lessons from this hugely disruptive event and ensure that we minimise the risk of something similar happening again.”
