Better information for your journey
The National Traffic Control Centre collects real-time information on road conditions.
How We Manage Our Roads
In this section you can find out more about how we manage and maintain these roads and plan for the future
The Project Control Framework
On 1st April 2008 we launched the Project Control Framework. The Framework sets out how we, together with the Department for Transport, manage and deliver major improvement projects.
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M1 Junctions 1 to 4 Technology Renewal
M1 Junctions 1 to 4 Technology Renewal
- Status
- Completed
- Located in
- Area 5

- Scheme type
- Other

The Project
The Highways Agency has completed an £11 million project on the M1 between Junctions 1 and 4 to replace overhead gantries that had reached the end of their life and to provide better information for road users by using new electronic signs.
The new electronic variable message signs have been positioned along the verge of both M1 carriageways and will give drivers better information about incidents and conditions on the road ahead. This will also help the Highways Agency to deal with incidents and congestion more quickly and efficiently.
An incident detection system is now identifying queuing traffic and automatically activates signals to warn approaching vehicles of slow moving or stationary traffic. Drivers will be able to slow down in time, reducing further incidents, and consider alternative routes which will help cut congestion.
The project started in January and was completed in December 2008.
The Benefits
In summary, the benefits of this scheme include:
- Improving road safety
- Making journeys more reliable by reducing congestion
- Providing better information to road users
For more information about the variable message signs please go to the Highways Agency online Knowledge Centre.


