SMOOTHER journeys await motorway drivers in the area as the M1 begins ‘smart motorway’ improvement works.
The improvements, which will introduce variable speed limits and open up hard shoulders to traffic, will be up and running between junction 19 in Leicestershire (Catthorpe Interchange) and junction 16 in Northamptonshire (south of Watford Gap) by spring next year.
Highways England project manager Lee Wise said: “This is an exciting scheme and once completed will bring big improvements with an additional lane for traffic.
“We are committed to delivering this work differently with shorter lengths of traffic management wherever possible to help minimise disruption to drivers.
“I would however urge road users to please have patience and bear with us while we carry this work out as quickly as we can and to be extra vigilant and to extra take care when driving through the road works.
“The scheme when completed will be worth it and bring daily benefits to journeys for years to come.”
Between now and 2020, Highways England will deliver £11 billion of Government investment – including a £3 billion investment delivering 286 miles of smart motorways which will tackle congestion and improve journey times for drivers while maintaining safety.
Highways England advise local residents and business owners to ensure they allow extra time to complete their journeys during the improvement works.
Visit www.highways.gov.uk/roads/road-projects/m1-junctions-19-to-16-all-lane-running for a full schedule of closures and alternative routes.
