What is happening?

We are working to improve the M1 by making it a "managed motorway" between junctions 10 and 13. Managed motorways help relieve congestion by using technology to vary speed limits. They also allow the hard shoulder to be used as a running lane at peak times to create additional capacity (known as "hard shoulder running"). They deliver these benefits at a significantly lower cost than conventional motorway widening and with less impact on the environment.

When and where is this happening?

Works commenced in December 2009 and the scheme was declared opened to traffic in December 2012 however there will be residual work on the network until Spring 2013.

Why is this happening and what will it cost?

The M1 is a heavily used route that connects London with the Midlands and the North. It was designed and built in the 1950's and currently operates well over capacity, resulting in queues and delays at peak times.

Improvements to the M1 between Junctions 10 and 13 are required to cope with the high volume of traffic. The improvements will relieve congestion and reduce delays leading to more reliable journeys.

In addition to the hard shoulder works we have been permanently switching off and removing lighting for this section of road. The Junctions and their approaches, and a short section of the M1 either side of Junction 11, will remain lit.

Lighting on this section is in a poor state of repair and has come to the end of its useful working life. The original safety case for operating managed motorways was not based on road lighting being in place, and an assessment of this section of the M1 to current standards no longer justifies the need for or replacement lighting.

Following careful assessment, the comprehensive safety study shows that the managed motorway can be operated safely without lighting. As part of any managed motorway system, CCTV cameras are installed for traffic monitoring: those on this section of the M1 will be 'low light' cameras to enhance the capability of staff in the Regional Control Centre to monitor the M1 24 hours a day.

Removal of the lighting supports the Government's wider agenda on reducing carbon emissions. This will also reduce the level of light pollution, save energy costs, reduce scheme costs and remove the need for lighting maintenance thereby minimising subsequent traffic disruption. Since 2009, the Highways Agency has switched off motorway lighting, between midnight and 5am, at a number of sites across England, and evidence so far suggests that this has not had adverse impact on safety.

The estimated outturn cost for this scheme is £325 million.

How will the scheme be carried out?

On 15 January 2009 the Secretary of State announced that the M1 Junctions 10 to 13 scheme would be taken forward as a "Hard Shoulder Running Scheme". This is being implemented within the existing highway boundary, eliminating the need to acquire additional land. To maximize the benefit of "Hard Shoulder Running", the capacity of junctions 11 and 12 also need to be improved. These proposed improvements require land take and are therefore subject to statutory procedures, which have now been completed.

What are the benefits?

• Reliable journey times
• Reduced congestion
• Enhanced information to drivers
• Quicker response times to incidents

How do I find out more information ?

More information will be posted on this project page as it becomes available. You can subscribe to be alerted when updates are made.

If you have any queries about this project you should contact the Highways Agency Information Line by emailing ha_​info@​highways.​gsi.​gov.​uk or calling 0300 123 5000.

Will there be roadworks?

Please also note that there is no planned Traffic Management over Easter from Thursday 28 March to Tuesday 2 April 2013 

Road Works

How will you manage traffic?

At peak times three lanes are open to traffic in each direction on the M1. Any lane or carriageway closures are undertaken at an off-peak or overnight period and are kept to a minimum.

Between junctions 12 and 13 there are 3 lanes of traffic in each direction. Restrictions on the southbound carriageway between junctions 13 and 12, including the 50 mph speed restriction have been removed. The 50mph speed restriction was removed on the northbound carriageway over the weekend of 13 -14 October.

Between junctions 10 and 11  and with testing the managed motorway system between junctions 11 and 13 there will be 3 lanes of traffic in each direction with the option to increase, when signs and signals indicate, to 4 lanes under peak traffic conditions. The carriageway is fully operational under an enforceable managed motorway up to national speed limit.

We are currently using rolling road closures in order to allow some work to be carried out safely. A rolling road closure is when we use Highways Agency Traffic Officer or Police Vehicles to gradually slow down the following motorist and then stop them temporarily to allow enough time for work to be carried out, or for debris or an incident to be cleared in safety.

The majority of the rolling road closures on the M1 Junctions 10 to 13 Scheme are required for the installation of new gantries which span both the Northbound and Southbound carriageways. The installation of gantries is currently programmed for Wednesday to Saturday nights when traffic flows are lower in order to minimise delays to the travelling public. Some delays are likely during these works and motorists are advised to allow extra time for their journeys.

Managed Motorways - junctions 10-13

The managed motorway systems on the M1 between junctions 10 to 11 became operational on Thursday 12 July 2012. When in operation, overhead electronic signals display variable mandatory speed limits (appearing within red rings) and overhead message signs will indicate when drivers can use the hard shoulder as an extra lane.

On 18th December we will begin testing the newly-installed managed motorway systems between Junctions 11 and 13.  At busy times (including weekends, if needed), the overhead electronic systems above the motorway will display variable mandatory speed limits within red rings.  Overhead message signs will indicate when drivers can use the hard shoulder as an extra lane.

Road users are advised to follow overhead signs and signals, and are reminded that when the hard shoulder is not indicated as a running lane it should be used for emergency purposes only, in accordance with Motorway Regulations.

Work is not yet complete on the scheme, but remaining work will be completed off-peak and at night time when traffic levels are lower.  The scheme is progressing well and we are on target for full scheme completion in Spring 2013.  We will be removing traffic restrictions including the 50 mph speed limit as work progresses and when it is safe to do so.

Will there be diversions?

Clearly signed diversions will be in place during slip road closures.

The improvements at Junction 11 and 12 aim to have minimum impact on the environment.

Surveys have been carried out to identify areas of importance for archaeology, ecology, cultural heritage and landscape.

The improvements at Junction 11 will not affect any Sites of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI) or County Wildlife Sites (CWS).

The Junction 12 improvements would require landtake with the Green Belt. They would not effect any Sites of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI) but some of the options may indirectly impact on County Wildlife Sites.

Landscaping proposals would include tree and shrub planting as required at both Junctions.

Noise levels are likely to increase at both Junctions during the construction of the improvements but overall noise levels following construction are unlikely to change.

Junction 11 is in an Air Quality Management Area. Levels of Nitrogen Dioxide in the air are monitored to check that they are not too high.

There is likely to be a small increase in air pollution at Junction 12 which would affect a small number of nearby properties.

Safe crossing routes for pedestrians and cyclists would be provided at both Junctions by improving the existing crossing routes.

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Hard Shoulder Running Videos

A text transcript of this video is also available.