Motorway junction works to get underway

Junction 12 will be improved by providing a new signalised ‘half-cloverleaf’ junction about 40 metres to the north of the existing A5120 over-bridge, with new slip roads connecting the motorway to the A5120.

Junction 11 will be fully signalled with widened slips roads and additional lanes on the A505 Dunstable Road approaches to the roundabout.

Transport minister Mike Penning said the work would “provide additional capacity, improve journey time reliability and increase safety” at the junctions.

The improvements, along with the hard shoulder running from junctions 10 to 13, are due to be completed in 2013.

Mr Penning said: “The government is committed to delivering transport projects which improve journeys and help economic growth so I am pleased to announce that crucial work to upgrade junctions 11 and 12 of the M1 will start on Monday.

“The Highways Agency will deliver these improvements alongside work that is already underway to introduce Managed Motorways between junctions 10 and 13 of this key transport artery.

“When complete in 2013 road users will benefit from reduced congestion and improved safety at the junctions and on this vital stretch of the nationally important M1 motorway.”

Lynne Stinson, Highways Agency project manager, said: “As well as improving traffic flows on the motorway, slip roads and junctions, there will also be improved facilities for cyclists and pedestrians, including a combined footway and cycleway over the A5120 at junction 12.

“Drivers are reminded to drive safely at roadworks and to observe the temporary 50mph speed limit, which is in place on the M1 between junctions 10 and 13 for the safety of road users and road workers.”

Once the work between 10 and 13 is complete, the Highways Agency will open up the hard shoulder as a running lane and use variable speed limits to improve traffic flow during busy periods on the M1 junctions 10 to 13.