M1 junction 13 to junction 16 smart motorway
We’ve improved a 23-mile section of the M1 between junctions 13 and 16 by upgrading it to an All-Lane Running (ALR) motorway to support economic growth and ease congestion in the area. The project is completed, but there are still some road closures on this stretch for the construction of Segro Logistics Park in Northampton by junction 15a.
Latest updates
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10 September 2024
Planned overnight lane and slip road closures in September 2024
Although we’ve completed our upgrade to the M1 between junctions 13 to 16, there are still some finishing works to complete including maintenance and landscaping.
To carry out this work safely, we’ll be working overnight between 9pm and 6am on the dates shown in the table below:
Date
M1 Northbound
M1 Southbound
Tuesday 10 September 2024
Lanes 1 and 2 closed between junction 15a and 17
Junction 16 entry slip closed
No planned closures
Wednesday 11 September 2024
No planned closures
Lanes 1 and 2 closed between junction 17 and 15a
Junction 16 entry slip closed
Thursday 12 September 2024
No planned closures
Lanes 1 and 2 closed between junction 16 and 15
Junction 15a entry slip closed
Junction 15a exit slip closed
Friday 13 September 2024
No planned closures
Lanes 1 and 2 closed between junction 15a and 14
Junction 15a entry slip closed
Saturday 14 September 2024
No planned closures
No planned closures
Sunday 15 September 2024
No planned closures
No planned closures
Monday 16 September 2024
No planned closures
Lanes 1 and 2 closed between junction 15 and 14
Tuesday 17 September 2024
No planned closures
Lanes 1 and 2 closed between junction 15 and 14
Wednesday 18 September 2024
No planned closures
Lanes 1 and 2 closed between junction 15 and 14
Newport Pagnell Motorway Services access closed
Junction 14 exit slip closed
Thursday 19 September 2024
No planned closures
Lanes 1 and 2 closed between junction 15 and 13
Junction 14 entry slip closed
We close the required lanes once traffic flows are at their lowest. All planned works are subject to change depending on weather conditions or any unforeseen circumstances.
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31 May 2024
M1 junction 13 to 16 planned night-time lane and slip road closures from Saturday 1 June 2024 to Wednesday 26 June 2024
There are some planned overnight work taking place between the hours of 10pm and 6am on the dates shown in the table below.
We close the required lanes once traffic flows are at their lowest. All planned works are subject to change depending on weather conditions or any unforeseen circumstances.
Please note that whilst the project to upgrade the M1 between junctions 13 to 16 has been completed, there is work being carried out at junction 15a of the M1. This is being carried out by the Segro Logistics Park (Winvic) in Northampton. Please visit their website for further information on their closures that may impact your journey.
Date
M1 Northbound
M1 Southbound
Saturday 1 June to Sunday 2 June
No planned closures
Monday 3 June
Lanes 1 and 2 closed between junction 13 and 14.
No planned closures
Tuesday 4 June
Lanes 1 and 2 closed between junction 13 and 15.
No planned closures
Wednesday 5 June
Lanes 1 and 2 closed between junction 14 and 15.
No planned closures
Thursday 6 June
Lanes 1 and 2 closed between junction 14 and 15.
No planned closures
Friday 7 June
Lanes 1 and 2 closed between junction 14 and 15.
No planned closures
Saturday 8 June to Sunday 9 June
No planned closures
Monday 10 June
Lanes 1 and 2 closed between junction 14 and 15.
No planned closures
Tuesday 11 June
Lanes 1 and 2 closed between junction 15 and 15a.
No planned closures
Wednesday 12 June
Lanes 1 and 2 closed between junction 15 and 16.
No planned closures
Thursday 13 June
Lanes 1 and 2 closed between junction 15a and 17.
No planned closures
Friday 14 June
No planned closures
Lanes 1 and 2 closed between junction 17 and 15a.
Saturday 15 June to Sunday 16 June
No planned closures
Monday 17 June
No planned closures
Lanes 1 and 2 closed between junction 16 and 15.
Tuesday 18 June
No planned closures
Lanes 1 and 2 closed between junction 15a and 15.
Wednesday 19 June
No planned closures
Lanes 1 and 2 closed between junction 15 and 14.
Thursday 20 June
No planned closures
Lanes 1 and 2 closed between junction 15 and 14.
Friday 21 June
No planned closures
Lanes 1 and 2 closed between junction 15 and 14.
Saturday 22 June to Sunday 23 June
No planned closures
Monday 24 June
No planned closures
Lanes 1 and 2 closed between junction 15 and 14.
Tuesday 25 June
No planned closures
Lanes 1 and 2 closed between junction 15 and 13.
Wednesday 26 June
No planned closures
Lanes 1 and 2 closed between junction 14 and 13.
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13 May 2024
Planned overnight lane and slip road closures, Monday 13 May to Wednesday 26 June 2024
There are some planned overnight work taking place between the hours of 10pm and 6am on the dates shown in the table below.
We close the required lanes once traffic flows are at their lowest. All planned works are subject to change depending on weather conditions or any unforeseen circumstances.
Please note that whilst the project to upgrade the M1 between junctions 13 to 16 has been completed, there is work being carried out at junction 15a of the M1. This is being carried out by the Segro Logistics Park (Winvic) in Northampton. Please visit their website for further information on their closures that may impact your journey.
Date
M1 Northbound
M1 Southbound
Monday 13 May 2024
Lanes 1 and 2 closed between junction 14 and junction 15.
Junction 14 exit slip fully closed.
Lanes 1 and 2 closed between junction 16 and junction 15a.
Tuesday 14 May 2024 to Sunday 19 May 2024
No planned closures
Monday 20 May 2024
No planned closures
Lanes 1 and 2 closed between junction 14 and 13.
Tuesday 21 May 2024
Lanes 1 and 2 closed between junction 14 and 15.
Newport Pagnell services Exit Slip road fully closed.
Lanes 1 and 2 closed between junction 15a and 15.
Lanes 1 and 2 closed between junction 14 and 13.
Wednesday 22 May 2024
Lanes 1 and 2 closed between junction 14 and 15.
Newport Pagnell services Exit Slip road fully closed.
Lanes 1 and 2 closed between junction 15 and 15a.
Lanes 1 and 2 closed between junction 15a and 15
Thursday 23 May 2024
Lanes 1 and 2 closed between junction 15a and 16.
No planned closures
Friday 24 May 2024
Lanes 1 and 2 closed between junction 15a and 15.
No planned closures
Saturday 25 May 2024 to Friday 31 May 2024
No planned closures
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03 May 2024
M1 junction 13 to 16 planned night-time lane and slip road closures from Wednesday 1 May 2024 to Monday 13 May 2024
There are some planned overnight work taking place between the hours of 10pm and 6am on the dates shown in the table below.
We close the required lanes once traffic flows are at their lowest. All planned works are subject to change depending on weather conditions or any unforeseen circumstances.
Please note that whilst the project to upgrade the M1 between junctions 13 to 16 has been completed, there is work being carried out at junction 15a of the M1. This is being carried out by the Segro Logistics Park (Winvic) in Northampton. Please visit their website for further information on their closures that may impact your journey.
Date
M1 Northbound
M1 Southbound
Wednesday 1 May 2024
No planned closures
Lanes 1 and 2 closed between junction 15 and junction 14.
Lanes 1 and 2 closed between junction 14 and junction 13.
Thursday 2 May 2024
No planned closures
Lane 1 closed between junction 15a and junction 15.
Lanes 1 and 2 closed between junction 15 and junction 14.
Junction 15 entry slip fully closed.
Friday 3 May 2024
No planned closures
Lanes 1 and 2 closed between junction 16 and junction 15a.
Junction 15a exit slip fully closed.
Saturday 4 May 2024
No planned closures
No planned closures
Sunday 5 May 2024
No planned closures
No planned closures
Monday 6 May 2024
No planned closures
No planned closures
Tuesday 7 May 2024
Lanes 1 and 2 closed between junction 14 and junction 15.
Lanes 1 and 2 closed between junction 15 and junction 15a.
Lanes 1 and 2 closed between junction 15a and junction 16.
No planned closures
Wednesday 8 May 2024
Lanes 1 and 2 closed between junction 14 and junction 15.
Lane 1 closed of the junction 15 exit slip.
Lanes 1 and 2 closed between junction 15a and junction 15.
Thursday 9 May 2024
No planned closures
No planned closures
Friday 10 May 2024
No planned closures
No planned closures
Saturday 11 May 2024
No planned closures
No planned closures
Sunday 12 May 2024
No planned closures
No planned closures
Monday 13 May 2024
Lanes 1 and 2 closed between junction 14 and junction 15.
Junction 14 exit slip fully closed.
Lanes 1 and 2 closed between junction 16 and junction 15a.
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18 March 2024
M1 planned overnight road closures 18 March to April
Whilst the project to upgrade the M1 between junctions 13 to 16 has been completed, there is work being carried out at junction 15a of the M1. This is being carried out by the Segro Logistics Park (Winvic) in Northampton. Please visit their website for further information on their closures that may impact your journey.
There is some planned overnight road closures taking place between the hours of 10pm and 6am on the dates shown in the table below.
We close the road once traffic flows are at their lowest, and all planned works are subject to change depending on weather conditions or any unforeseen circumstances.
Date
M1 Northbound
M1 Southbound
Monday 18 March 2024
Lanes 1 and 2 closed between junction 14 and junction 15.
Lane 1 of junction 15 exit slip closed.
Lanes 1 and 2 closed between junction 15a and 16.
Lanes 1 and 2 closed between junction 15a and junction 14.
Tuesday 19 March 2024
Lanes 1 and 2 closed between junction 14 and junction 15.
Lanes 1 and 2 closed between junction 15a and junction 16.
No planned closures.
Monday 25 March 2024
Lanes 1 and 2 closed between junction 14 and junction 15.
Lanes 1 and 2 closed between junction 14 and junction 13.
Tuesday 26 March 2024
Lanes 1 and 2 closed between junction 14 and junction 15.
Lanes 1 and 2 closed between junction 15 and junction 14.
Lanes 1 and 2 closed between junction 14 and junction 13.
Wednesday 27 March 2024
Lanes 1 and 2 closed between junction 14 and junction 15.
Lanes 1 and 2 closed between junction 15 and junction 14.
Lanes 1 and 2 closed between junction 14 and junction 13.
Tuesday 2 April 2024
Lanes 1 and 2 closed between junction 14 and junction 15.
Lanes 1 and 2 closed between junction 15 and junction 14.
Lanes 1 and 2 closed between junction 14 and junction 13.
Wednesday 3 April 2024
No planned closures.
Lanes 1 and 2 closed between junction 15 and junction 14.
Thursday 4 April 2024
No planned closures.
Lanes 1 and 2 closed between junction 17 and junction 16.
Junction 16 exit slip road closed.
Friday 5 April 2024
Lanes 1 and 2 closed between junction 15a and junction 16.
Junction 16 exit slip road closed.
No planned closures.
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29 February 2024
M1 southbound junctions 14 to 13 resurfacing, 4 to 18 March 2024
We’re carrying out urgent resurfacing work on the M1 southbound between junctions 14 and 13. Once complete, drivers will benefit from a safer and smoother road surface.
We plan to complete this work over 13 nights between Monday 4 March and Monday 18 March 2024, including the weekend of Saturday 16 and Sunday 17 March. We will work between 10pm and 5am, weather conditions permitting.
Closures and diversions
To carry out the work safely, we will need to close the M1 southbound between junctions 14 and 13, and divert traffic through Milton Keynes as detailed below:
Drivers will be diverted off the M1 at junction 14 onto the H6 Childs Way (A509) to Fox Milne Roundabout. At the roundabout take the first exit onto the A4146 (Tongwell Street). At Standing Way Roundabout take the first exit onto the A421 before rejoining the M1 at junction 13. -
23 February 2024
Planned road closures from Friday 23 February to Monday 11 March 2024
Whilst the project to upgrade the M1 between junctions 13 to 16 has been completed, there is work being carried out at junction 15a of the M1. This is being carried out by the Segro Logistics Park (Winvic) in Northampton. Please visit their website for further information on their closures that may impact your journey.
There is some planned overnight road closures taking place between the hours of 10pm and 6am on the dates shown in the table below.
We close the road once traffic flows are at their lowest, and all planned works are subject to change depending on weather conditions or any unforeseen circumstances.
Date
M1 Northbound
M1 Southbound
Friday 23 February 2024
Lanes 1 and 2 closed between junction 14 and junction 15.
Lane 2 of the junction 15 exit slip road closed.
Lanes 1 and 2 closed between junction 15a and junction 15.
Saturday 24 February 2024
No planned closures
No planned closures
Sunday 25 February 2024
No planned closures
No planned closures
Monday 26 February 2024
Lanes 1 and 2 closed between junction 14 and junction 15.
Lanes 1 and 2 closed between junction 17 and junction 16.
Junction 16 exit slip closed.
Tuesday 27 February 2024
Lanes 1 and 2 closed between junction 14 and junction 15.
Lanes 1 and 2 closed between junction 15a and junction 16.
Junction 16 exit slip closed.
No planned closures
Wednesday 28 February 2024
Lanes 1 and 2 closed between junction 14 and junction 15.
No planned closures
Thursday 29 February 2024
No planned closures
Lanes 1 and 2 closed between junction 15 and junction 14.
Junction 15a exit slip road closed.
Friday 1 March 2024
No planned closures
Lanes 1 and 2 closed between junction 15 and junction 14.
Saturday 2 March 2024
No planned closures
No planned closures
Sunday 3 March 2024
No planned closures
No planned closures
Monday 4 March 2024
Lanes 1 and 2 closed between junction 15 and junction 15a.
Lanes 1 and 2 closed between junction 15 and junction 14.
Tuesday 5 March 2024
Lanes 1 and 2 closed between junction 14 and junction 15.
Lanes 1 and 2 closed between junction 15 and junction 14.
Wednesday 6 March 2024
No planned closures
Lanes 1 and 2 closed between junction 15 and junction 14.
Monday 11 March 2024
No planned closures
Junction 15 entry slip closed.
Lanes 1 and 2 closed between junction 14 and junction 13.
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23 January 2024
Planned road closures during January and February 2024
There are some planned overnight work taking place between the hours of 10pm and 6am on the dates shown in the table below.
Please be considerate of residents living along the diversion routes when travelling during these closures. We close the road once traffic flows are at their lowest, and all planned works are subject to change depending on weather conditions or any unforeseen circumstances.
Please note that whilst the project to upgrade the M1 between junctions 13 to 16 has been completed, there is work being carried out at junction 15a of the M1. This is being carried out by the Segro Logistics Park (Winvic) in Northampton. Please visit their website for further information on their closures that may impact your journey.
Date
M1 Northbound
M1 Southbound
Monday 22 January 2024
Lanes 1 and 2 closed between junction 14 and 15.
Newport Pagnell services entry slip road closed.
Newport Pagnell services exit slip road closed.
Lanes 2 and 1 closed between junction 15a and 15.
Tuesday 23 January 2024
Lanes 1 and 2 closed between junction 14 and 15.
Lanes 2 and 1 closed between junction 16 and 15.
Wednesday 24 January 2024
Lanes 1 and 2 closed between junction 14 and 15.
Lanes 2 and 1 closed between junction 16 and 15.
Thursday 25 January 2024
Lanes 1 and 2 closed between junction 14 and 15.
Lanes 2 and 1 closed between junction 16 and 15.
Lanes 2 and 1 closed between junction 15 and 14.
Friday 26 January 2024
Lanes 1 and 2 closed between junction 14 and 15.
Lanes 2 and 1 closed between junction 16 and 15.
Lanes 2 and 1 closed between junction 15 and 14.
Saturday 27 January 2024
No planned closures
No planned closures
Sunday 28 January 2024
No planned closures
No planned closures
Monday 29 January 2024
Lanes 1 and 2 closed between junction 14 and 15.
Lanes 2 and 1 closed between junction 15 and 14.
Tuesday 30 January 2024
No planned closures
Lanes 2 and 1 closed between junction 17 and 16.
Lanes 2 and 1 closed between junction 15 and 14.
Wednesday 31 January 2024
No planned closures
Lanes 2 and 1 closed between junction 15a and 14.
Lanes 2 and 1 closed between junction 15 and 14.
Thursday 1 February 2024
No planned closures
Lanes 2 and 1 closed between junction 15 and 14.
Friday 2 February 2024
No planned closures
Lanes 2 and 1 closed between junction 15 and 14.
Saturday 3 February 2024
No planned closures
No planned closures
Sunday 4 February 2024
No planned closures
No planned closures
Monday 5 February 2024
No planned closures
· Lanes 2 and 1 closed between junction 15 and 14.
Tuesday 6 February 2024
No planned closures
Lanes 2 and 1 closed between junction 15 and 14.
Wednesday 7 February 2024
No planned closures
Lanes 2 and 1 closed between junction 15 and 14.
Lanes 2 and 1 closed between junction 14 and 13.
Thursday 8 February 2024
No planned closures
Lanes 2 and 1 closed between junction 15 and 14.
Lanes 2 and 1 closed between junction 14 and 13.
Friday 9 February 2024
Lanes 1 and 2 closed between junction 13 and 14.
Lanes 2 and 1 closed between junction 15 and 14.
Saturday 10 February 2024
No planned closures
No planned closures
Sunday 11 February 2024
No planned closures
No planned closures
Monday 12 February 2024
Lanes 3 and 4 closed between junction 14 and 15.
Lanes 4, 3 and 2 closed between junction 15 and 14.
Lanes 2 and 1 closed between junction 15 and 13.
Junction 14 exit slip closed.
Tuesday 13 February 2024
Lanes 3 and 4 closed between junction 14 and 15.
Lanes 2 and 1 closed between junction 16 and 15a.
Lanes 4, 3 and 2 closed between junction 15 and 14.
Lanes 2 and 1 closed between junction 14 and 13.
Wednesday 14 February 2024
Lanes 2 and 1 closed between junction 15a and 15.
Lanes 2 and 1 closed between junction 15 and 14.
Lanes 2 and 1 closed between junction 14 and 13.
Thursday 15 February 2024
Lanes 1 and 2 closed between junction 14 and 15.
Lanes 2 and 1 closed between junction 14 and 13.
Friday 16 February 2024
Lanes 1 and 2 closed between junction 14 and 15.
Lane 1 of the junction 15 exit slip road closed.
Lanes 2 and 1 closed between junction 14 and 13.
Saturday 17 February 2024
No planned closures
No planned closures
Sunday 18 February 2024
No planned closures
No planned closures
Monday 19 February 2024
Lanes 3 and 4 closed between junction 14 and 15.
Lanes 2 and 1 closed between junction 16 and 15a.
Lanes 4,3 and 2 closed between junction 15 and 14.
Tuesday 20 February 2024
Lanes 1 and 2 closed between junction 14 and 15.
Lanes 1 and 2 closed between junction 15a and 16.
Lanes 2 and 1 closed between junction 16 and 15a
Wednesday 21 February 2024
Lanes 1 and 2 closed between junction 14 and 15.
Lanes 1 and 2 closed between junction 15a and 16.
No planned closures
Thursday 22 February 2024
Lanes 1 and 2 closed between junction 14 and 15.
No planned closures
Friday 23 February 2024
Lanes 1 and 2 closed between junction 14 and 15.
Lane 2 of the junction 15 exit slip road closed.
No planned closures
Other M1 planned road closures
We’ll be carrying out essential maintenance work on the M1 between junction 10 Luton airport (south) and 13 Bedford/Milton Keynes South.
Date
Duration
Closure details
Extra time to allow
Saturday 20 January for 4 nights
10pm to 5am
Full overnight closure of M1 junction 14 to 11a Southbound
40 mins
Wednesday 24 January for 4 nights
10pm to 5am
Full overnight closure of M1 junction 11a to 9 Southbound
25 mins
Monday 29 January for 5 nights
10pm to 5am
Full overnight closure of M1 junction 11a to 14 Northbound
40 mins
More details at www.nationalhighways.co.uk/m1J10-13
When the road is closed, please follow the official signed diversion routes. Please do not use satellite navigation (sat nav) when following the diversion, as they may give conflicting information.
Other roadworks in the area
Drivers are reminded to allow extra time for journeys if using the A45 due to extensive maintenance work between Queen Eleanor roundabout to the M1 junction 15 in Northamptonshire.
Closures are taking place between 8pm and 6am, Monday to Friday. The closures are on the eastbound carriageway until Wednesday 31 January and then on the westbound carriageway from Thursday 1 February until Monday 26 February. Work will then return to the eastbound carriageway, due to be completed by 7 March.
Meanwhile work has also now begun on repairing safety barriers along the A45 on a stretch between the M1 junction 15 and Wilby Way. These closures will continue until the end of April.
The first phase is the A45 between Wilby Way roundabout and Barnes Meadow roundabout, with closures on the westbound/south carriageway until Wednesday 31 January. The closures will then take place on the eastbound/north carriageway until 26 February. Closures take place overnight, between 8pm and 6am, Monday to Friday.
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09 March 2023
Upgrade now fully open
The final 11-mile section of the M1 J13-16 upgrade has fully opened, with the national speed limit (70mph) restored.
We have been opening the 23-mile M1 upgrade in phases since late 2021. Completing this final section, at the northernmost section of the upgrade, means that we have now fully opened our upgrade on the M1 between Bedford, Milton Keynes and Northampton, creating an extra lane in each direction and adding technology to improve journeys and give drivers better information.
On motorways where the hard shoulder has been converted to a traffic lane, there is a whole system of inter-related features, working together to help keep traffic moving safely. They include:
- Variable speed limits to help keep traffic moving, reducing frustrating stop-start traffic and making journeys quicker
- Clearly signed and orange-coloured emergency areas set back from the road and with telephones linking directly to our control rooms
- Detection systems to monitor traffic for changes in flows and speeds, including stopped vehicle detection to spot stopped vehicles and get help on the way more quickly
- CCTV cameras that our operators are able to move and zoom to monitor and manage congestion and incidents, where notified. The system has the ability to see 100% of the carriageway
- Signs and signals to provide better information and that can alert drivers to hazards ahead and display Red X signals to close lanes to other traffic when a stopped vehicle is identified
- Enforcement cameras to deter the minority who break speed limits and ignore Red X signs
All this is overseen and joined up by our dedicated teams in the control rooms and on the road, who are here to help motorists 24 hours a day, 365 days a year.
Benefits
You can read more about the main features of smart motorways, and advice and guidance on safer driving and what to do in an emergency on our ‘Driving on motorways’ hub.
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05 December 2022
Phased opening of upgraded sections continues
Today a 4.2-mile section of the M1 north of junction 14 at Newport Pagnell services (to Cattle Creep, near Hartwell) fully opened, with the 70mph national speed limit restored.
On motorways where the hard shoulder has been converted to a traffic lane, there is a whole system of inter-related features, working together to help keep traffic moving safely. They include:
- Variable speed limits to help keep traffic moving, reducing frustrating stop-start traffic and making journeys quicker
- Clearly signed and orange-coloured emergency areas set back from the road and with telephones linking directly to our control rooms
- Detection systems to monitor traffic for changes in flows and speeds, including stopped vehicle detection to spot stopped vehicles and get help on the way more quickly
- CCTV cameras that our operators are able to move and zoom to monitor and manage congestion and incidents, where notified. The system has the ability to see 100% of the carriageway
- Signs and signals to provide better information and that can alert drivers to hazards ahead and display Red X signals to close lanes to other traffic when a stopped vehicle is identified
- Enforcement cameras to deter the minority who break speed limits and ignore Red X signs
All this is overseen and joined up by our dedicated teams in the control rooms and on the road, who are here to help motorists 24 hours a day, 365 days a year.
Next Steps
A further 4.5-mile section to junction 15 for Northampton is set to fully open in early 2023. Together, these make up the second section of the M1 upgrade.
The third and final section of the upgrade, between junctions 15 and 16, began its phased opening last month, with four lanes in each direction at 60mph, and is expected to fully open by March 2023.
Benefits
You can read more about the main features of smart motorways, and advice and guidance on safer driving and what to do in an emergency on our ‘Driving on motorways’ hub.
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15 November 2022
More new lanes open to traffic
The final stretch of our upgrade of the M1 started its phased opening from today (Tuesday 15 November).
An extra, fourth lane is being made available over the next four nights to drivers in both directions on a 6.5-mile section of the motorway between junction 15 (Northampton) and junction 16 (the Upper Heyford Interchange). The whole section is due to have the additional lane open by 6am on Friday morning.
Drivers travelling through this section will see a 60mph speed limit in place, temporary additional CCTV from the roadworks, and a free recovery service alongside the new permanent systems while final technology tests are carried out.
This can only happen when there aren’t roadworks, and when drivers are able to use all lanes of the upgraded carriageway.
The scheme is opening in sections; a fourth lane opened on the 9.4-mile stretch between Newport Pagnell Services and junction 15 (Northampton) in September. Both sections are expected to fully open, with the national speed limit restored, in the coming weeks.
Drivers will now be able to use 46 new emergency areas if they need to stop in an emergency.
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22 September 2022
New lanes open to traffic
From today (Thursday 22 September), 4 lanes on the 9.4 mile stretch between Newport Pagnell Services and junction 15 (Northampton) are now available to traffic with a 60mph speed limit in both directions.
Once construction is complete, and before we fully open our motorway upgrades, new technology, which includes stopped vehicle detection, is tested. This means it is finely adjusted to suit the particular environment of the road where it has been installed. This can only happen when there are no roadworks, when drivers are able to use all four lanes of the upgraded carriageway.
Safety measures which have been in place during the roadworks, such as the 60mph reduced speed limits, and a free recovery service for drivers who get into difficulty, continue. The temporary CCTV used during the roadworks also remains in place, working alongside the new permanent CCTV installed as part of the upgrade.
Once testing shows the system is performing satisfactorily the maximum speed is increased to the national speed limit of 70mph. We expect this to happen next month.
The first section of the upgrade, a 7.6 mile stretch between junction 13 and Newport Pagnell services, opened earlier this year. We expect the final remaining link of the upgrade, the 6.5 mile section between junction 15 and junction 16 (Upper Heyford Interchange) to start its phased opening next month.
This newly opened section includes 19 new emergency areas, where drivers can stop in an emergency. Once finished, the 23-mile upgrade will feature 46 new emergency areas, 8 more than originally planned.
We expect the scheme to be fully open, with the national speed limit restored, by March 2023.
If you’d like to know more about the main features of smart motorways, and advice and guidance on safer driving and what to do in an emergency, visit our ‘Driving on motorways’ hub.
Project information
Visit our M1 J13-16 Smart Motorway feedback tool to have your say. The tool includes an interactive map. You can click on a location to make a specific comment, or give us your general feedback.
ECHO is a one-way feedback tool, so if you’d like a response to your feedback you can email the project team at: M1J13-16Smart@nationalhighways.co.uk
We converted the existing section of the M1 from Junction 13 at Milton Keynes South to Junction 16 at the Upper Heyford Interchange (A45 to Daventry, A4500 to Northampton) into a smart motorway.
The project involved:
- converting the motorway between junctions 13 to 16 into four lanes of traffic with no hard shoulder
- installing 46 emergency areas with emergency roadside telephones
- new overhead gantries and electronic signs to show the variable speed limits and provide driver information
- new and replacement safety barriers in the central reservation and verge areas
- CCTV cameras
- new noise barriers and partial replacement of the existing noise barrier
- planting trees and bushes to replace any removed during construction
The M1 is a key strategic road, carrying high volumes of heavy goods and other vehicles between London and the North.
This project aimed to help ease congestion and make journey times more reliable during busy periods on this stretch of motorway, and to:
- reduce congestion and smooth the flow of traffic to improve travel times and make journeys more reliable between Bedfordshire, Milton Keynes and Northamptonshire.
- support the economy within the region by providing much needed capacity on the motorway, reducing the cost of economic delay to commuters and business traffic
- maximise motorway capacity while maintaining safety on motorways
- minimise environmental impacts
M1 junctions 13 to 16 smart motorway - variable mandatory speed limits - 26 March 2018 to 23 April 2018
An environmental screening exercise at an early stage of the project indicated that it was considered unlikely there would be significant adverse effects resulting from the M1 junctions 13 to 16 smart motorway scheme.
The key issues considered included:
- air quality mitigation, in relation to housing and air quality management areas
- surveys for protected species and habitats including bats, badgers dormouse and great crested newts
- to minimise the loss of vegetative screening along the scheme and to design mitigation to reinforce screening for the future
Some sections of the existing noise barrier were replaced with new sections of environmental barrier, as they had reached the end of their lifespan.
Additional noise barriers were delivered as part of the scheme design at a number of Noise Important Areas.
Documents
M1 junction 13 to junction 16 environmental study report (ESR)
ESR Appendix B - Air Quality
ESR Appendix C - Noise and Vibration
ESR Appendix D - Landscape and Visual
ESR Appendix E - Cultural Heritage
ESR Appendix - Affected Road Network 2021
ESR Appendix - Air Quality Management Areas
ESR Appendix - Committed Developments
ESR Appendix - Compliance Risk Road Network
ESR Appendix - Construction Noise and Vibration diversion routes J13-14 northbound
ESR Appendix - Construction Noise and Vibration diversion routes J13-14 southbound
ESR Appendix - Construction Noise and Vibration diversion routes J14-15 northbound
ESR Appendix - Construction Noise and Vibration diversion routes J14-15 southbound
ESR Appendix - Construction Noise and Vibration diversion routes J15a-16 northbound
ESR Appendix - Construction Noise and Vibration diversion routes J15a-16 southbound
ESR Appendix - Construction noise. Areas of potential significant adverse effects
ESR Appendix - Construction vibration. Areas of potential significant adverse effects
ESR Appendix - Cultural Heritage Receptors
ESR Appendix - Discussion Region Receptors
ESR Appendix - Do Something Results 2021
ESR Appendix - Ecological Receptors
ESR Appendix - Enviromental Masterplan (mitigation strategy)
ESR Appendix - Flood Risk from Rivers
ESR Appendix - Landscape Character, Viewpoints and Visibility
ESR Appendix - Location and results of noise survey
ESR Appendix - Monitoring Locations
ESR Appendix - Operational road traffic noise. Long term Do-Minimum comparison day time
ESR Appendix - Operational road traffic noise. Long term Do-Minimum comparison night time
ESR Appendix - Operational road traffic noise. Long term Do-Something comparison day time
ESR Appendix - Operational road traffic noise. Long term Do-Something comparison night time
ESR Appendix - Operational road traffic noise. Proposed Noise Barriers
ESR Appendix - Operational road traffic noise. Short-term comparison day time
ESR Appendix - Scheme Location
ESR Appendix - Surface Water Flood Risk
ESR Appendix - Verification Zones
ESR Appendix - Viewpoint Photographs
Traffic information
Information about scheduled roadworks and events on our motorways and major roads.X
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