Highways Agency

Latest Roadworks Information

The latest schedule of closures and alternative routes is available from the Roadworks Information page in the right hand menu.

Please note that this information is not updated in real time - you should also check Traffic England for the latest information and current traffic conditions.

Drivers are advised to plan their journeys in advance. A 50mph speed limit is in place 24-hours a day, seven days a week, enforced with temporary average speed safety cameras.

The Project

Works to widen the M1, reducing congestion and improving both safety and journey time reliability, commenced mid March 2006 and are expected to be completed by December 2008.

The M1 is one of the busiest motorways in Britain and is a strategic link between London, the Midlands and the North. The section between Junctions 6A and 10 is approximately 10 miles (17 km) long, stretching from the M25 through to Luton, and carries an average of 160,000 vehicles per day with long delays experienced at peak times.

The Works

Work will be carried out on both carriageways of the M1 between J6A and J10 to bring it up to a full standard four lane motorway with continuous hard shoulders. This will be achieved by widening the following sections:

• Junctions 6A-7 southbound
• Junctions 8-9 northbound and southbound
• Junctions 9-10 southbound

Other works will include:

• Construction of new parallel roads between Junctions 7 and 8 to cater for local traffic travelling between Hemel Hempstead and St. Albans.
• Widening or replacement of 11 underbridges on one or both carriageways.
• Replacement of 7 overbridges.
• Extensive public utility diversions, notably the overhead power cables at Junction 10 and near Redbourn.

It will be necessary to acquire land for the scheme as identified at the Public Inquiry, however no properties will need to be demolished.

Progress to Date

The project is progressing well and remains on target for completion in December 2008. Other key aspects of recent construction progress include;

• All seven of the new over-bridges being constructed over the motorway now substantially complete. 
• The new Junction 10 interchange is now complete and operational.
• Seven of the ten under-bridges being widened under the motorway are now complete and the remaining three are well advanced (this substantial work is not always evident or readily visible to road users).
• The construction of the new Junction 8 bridge is now complete and the new Junction 8  interchange at Hemel Hempstead is well advanced.
• Carriageway widening in section one (J10 - J9) has been completed. A new communication system has been installed in section one including new overhead gantries and electronic message signs commisioning works are underway.
• Carriageway widening in section two (J8 - J6a) is progressing as planned on both north and southbound carriageways. Works to remove temporary lighting and install communications in the southbound verge in the northern section.
• Section one of the works are complete and has been opened up to four lanes. The northbound carriageway between Junction 9 and 10 and the southbound carriageway between Junction 11 and 10 are now running at 70mph.

Works planned until the remainder of 2008

• Carriageway widening will be completed to the North and Southbound verges and central reservation in section two (J8 - J6a).
• Complete construction of the remaining sign/ matrix gantries in the south section.
• The 'collector/ distributor' roads being constructed parallel to the motorway at J8 will be completed.
• The newly widened motorway and associated highway communication systems will be completed and the motorway will be fully opened to four lanes running at 70 mph in December 2008.
• Central reservation works (barrier and lighting installation/ finishing) in various sections along the scheme.
• Widening works to the southbound verge in the southern section.
• Widening works to the northbound verge (at the southern end of the project).
• Finishing works to the southbound verge (southern section).