The final phase of a £205 million upgrade to improve journey times and reduce congestion on a 20-mile section of the M1 spanning the East Midlands and South Yorkshire went live on 5 April, 2016.

The Highways England scheme between junction 28 (Mansfield) and junction 31 (Worksop) is the first smart motorway in the East Midlands and South Yorkshire, where the hard shoulder has been permanently converted to an extra lane.  Variable speed limits will also be used to keep vehicles moving, tackling the stop-start conditions many drivers have experienced in the past.   It is being delivered as part of a £15 billion government investment in motorways and major A roads by 2021.

Roads Minister Andrew Jones said: “The completion of the smart motorway on this section of the M1 will make a real difference to people travelling between Mansfield, Chesterfield and Worksop, delivering better and smoother journeys, helping businesses and boosting the local economy.   This is all part of our plans to build a road network that is fit for the future, with a record £15 billion going into improving our roads, reducing congestion and keeping Britain moving.

Photo: Andrew Jones