M1 Traffic Delays | Live Updates and Travel Information

The M1 is one of the busiest and most essential motorways in the UK, connecting London to Leeds and linking with other major routes such as the M25, M6, M62 and A1(M). The motorway is 193 miles (311 km) long and carries a considerable volume of traffic every day. The M1 was constructed in four phases between 1959 and 1999.

If travelling on the M1, you must know the latest traffic news and updates to avoid delays and disruptions. If you’re planning a long or short journey, please check the current traffic conditions and incidents on the M1 before you set off.

On this page, you will find all the information you need to stay updated on the M1 traffic situation. You will see live maps and reports showing the current traffic flow, speed, accidents, roadworks and closures on the M1. You will also be able to find valuable tips and advice on avoiding or coping with traffic problems on the M1.

Using this page lets you plan your journey better and save time and money on the M1. You can also travel more safely and comfortably on the motorway. So please bookmark this page and visit it regularly to get the latest M1 traffic news and updates.

Travel information is updated every 5 minutes. Avoid roadworks and traffic congestion on the UK’s major motorways. Click on the relevant traffic incident headline below to see a geographic map location of the event.

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Traffic Flow Map

Live traffic flow information for all of the UK road network. Plan a smarter, quicker motorway route.

Major Road Headlines

• M6 J23 northbound exit | Northbound | Congestion | St. Helens District2nd December 2023
• A21 southbound between A2100 near Battle (north) and A28 | Southbound | Vehicle Fire | East Sussex2nd December 2023
• A21 northbound between A28 and A2100 near Battle (north) | Northbound | Vehicle Fire | East Sussex2nd December 2023

The Busiest Sections of the M1 Motorway in England

The M1 motorway is one of the most important and busiest roads in the United Kingdom, connecting London to Leeds and linking with other major routes such as the M25, M6, M62 and A1(M).

The M1 carries considerable traffic daily, especially in the south and east Midlands regions, where it serves many large towns and cities. According to the latest statistics from 2019, the average annual daily flow (AADF) of vehicles on the M1 was 144,000, making it the second busiest motorway in England after the M25.

But which sections of the M1 are the most congested and crowded? Based on the data from 2019, here are the top five busiest areas of the M1 motorway in England:

1. M1 Southbound: J43-J42

This section of the M1 is located in West Yorkshire, near Leeds. A five-lane motorway carries traffic from the M621 and the A1(M) towards Wakefield, Barnsley and Sheffield. It has an AADF of 8,417 vehicles per hour, making it England’s busiest section of the M1. This section is often subject to heavy traffic and delays due to its high volume and frequent junctions.

2. M1 Northbound: J42-J43

This section of the M1 is in the opposite direction of the previous one, carrying traffic from Wakefield, Barnsley and Sheffield towards Leeds, the M621 and the A1(M). It is also a five-lane motorway with an AADF of 8,642 vehicles per hour, making it England’s second busiest section of the M1. This section is also prone to congestion and accidents due to its high demand and limited capacity.

3. M1 Southbound: J7-J8

This section of the M1 is located in Hertfordshire, near London. A four-lane motorway carries traffic from Luton and Milton Keynes towards St Albans and Hemel Hempstead. It has an AADF of 8,301 vehicles per hour, making it England’s third busiest section of the M1. This section is often affected by traffic jams and disruptions due to its proximity to London and other busy routes.

4. M25 Clockwise: J21-J21a

This section of the M25 is located in Hertfordshire, near London. A four-lane motorway carries traffic from Watford and Northampton towards St Albans and Luton. It has an AADF of 8,337 vehicles per hour, making it England’s fourth busiest section of the M1. This section is also subject to frequent delays and incidents due to its high volume and complex junctions.

5. M1 Northbound: J6a-J7

This section of the M1 is located in Hertfordshire, near London. A four-lane motorway carries traffic from St Albans and Hemel Hempstead towards Luton and Milton Keynes. It has an AADF of 7,982 vehicles per hour, making it England’s fifth busiest section of the M1. This section is also affected by traffic jams and disruptions due to its proximity to London and other busy routes.

These are the five busiest sections of the M1 motorway in England, based on the latest data from 2019. They are all located in the south and east Midlands regions, where the M1 serves many large towns and cities. They are also all connected to other major routes, such as the M25, M6, M62 and A1(M), which increase their volume and complexity. These sections are often subject to congestion and delays, which can affect motorists’ travel time and safety.

The M1 motorway is vital for the United Kingdom, connecting many important destinations and regions. It is also a road that faces many challenges and issues due to its high demand and limited capacity. The government and Highways England are constantly working to improve and maintain the M1 motorway by implementing various schemes and projects such as smart motorways, junction improvements, road widening and resurfacing. These measures aim to enhance the performance and reliability of the M1 motorway and to provide a better service for its users.

The History of the M1 Motorway in England

The M1 motorway is one of the UK’s most important and busiest roads, and it connects London to Leeds and links with other major routes like the M25, M6, M62 and A1(M). The motorway is 193 miles (311 km) long and was built in four phases between 1959 and 1999.

The M1 carries a lot of traffic daily, especially in the south and east Midlands regions, where it serves many big towns and cities. According to the latest stats from 2019, the average number of vehicles on the M1 was 144,000 per day, making it the second busiest motorway in England after the M25.

But how did the M1 come to be? And how has it changed over time? In this article, we will look at the history of the M1 motorway in England and see how it has evolved.

The First Phase: 1959-1968

The first phase of the M1 was opened on 2nd November 1959 by the transport minister, Ernest Marples. It was a big deal for the British public, and many were excited to drive at unlimited speeds and reach places in record time. It was a real revolution in travel.

The first phase was a 73-mile (117 km) stretch from St Albans in Hertfordshire to Crick in Northamptonshire. It was built mainly by John Laing and Son Ltd, a construction company that also created many other parts of the motorway network.

The first phase also included two spurs: the M10 (from junction 7 to south of St Albans) and the M45 (from junction 17 to Coventry). The M10 connected to the A1, the main road from London to Scotland. The M45 connected to the A45, the main road from Birmingham to East Anglia.

The first phase of the M1 was very different from what we see today. It had no speed limits, crash barriers or lighting, and soft shoulders instead of hard ones. This meant drivers had to be very careful and alert when driving on the motorway.

The first phase of the M1 was also very popular. It attracted many drivers who wanted to experience the thrill of driving on a new and fast road. Some even went on it for fun or as a day out. However, this also meant that the motorway soon became crowded and congested. There were also many accidents and crashes due to the lack of safety features and driver behaviour.

The Second Phase: 1968-1977

The second phase of the M1 was opened between 1968 and 1977. It extended the motorway from Crick in Northamptonshire to Hook Moor in West Yorkshire, where it joined with the A1(M). It also added more lanes and junctions to cope with the increasing traffic.

The second phase was a 120-mile (193 km) stretch that ran through Nottinghamshire, Derbyshire, South Yorkshire and West Yorkshire. It was built by various contractors and involved many engineering challenges, such as crossing rivers, valleys and hills.

The second phase of the M1 also introduced some new features, such as speed limits, crash barriers and lighting. These were added to improve safety and reduce accidents on the motorway. However, they also caused some controversy among drivers who felt that they were losing their freedom and fun on the road.

The second phase of the M1 also faced some opposition from environmentalists and local residents concerned about the motorway’s impact on their land, wildlife and communities. Some protests and campaigns were organised to stop or delay the motorway construction.

The Third Phase: 1977-1999

The third phase of the M1 was opened between 1977 and 1999. It extended the motorway from Hook Moor in West Yorkshire to Leeds and added more lanes and junctions to cope with the growing traffic.

The third phase was a 13-mile (21 km) stretch that ran through West Yorkshire and connected with the M62 and the M621. It was built by various contractors and involved complex engineering works such as building bridges, tunnels and viaducts.

The third phase of the M1 also introduced some new features, such as variable speed limits, CCTV cameras and emergency telephones. These were added to improve traffic management and safety on the motorway. However, they also caused some complaints from drivers who felt they were being monitored and controlled by the authorities.

The third phase of the M1 also faced some challenges from weather conditions and roadworks that affected the construction and operation of the motorway. Some delays and disruptions were caused by snow, ice, rain and fog. Some repairs and maintenance were also needed to fix the damage caused by wear and tear, accidents and vandalism.

The Fourth Phase: 1999-present

The fourth phase of the M1 is still ongoing and involves upgrading and improving the existing motorway sections to meet the current and future traffic needs.

The fourth phase includes schemes and projects such as smart motorways, junction improvements, road widening and resurfacing. These aim to enhance the performance and reliability of the M1 motorway and to provide a better service for its users.

Smart motorways are sections of the motorway that use technology to monitor and manage traffic flow. They can vary the speed limits, open or close lanes, display signs and messages, and respond to incidents. They can also use the hard shoulder as an extra lane during peak times or emergencies.

Junction improvements are works that modify or rebuild the existing junctions to improve their capacity, safety and efficiency. They can involve adding or removing lanes, changing layouts, installing signals or roundabouts, or creating new access roads or bridges.

Road widening is a work that adds more lanes to the existing sections of the motorway to increase their capacity and reduce congestion. It can involve widening the carriageway, building new bridges or viaducts, or acquiring more land.

Resurfacing is work that replaces or repairs the existing surface of the motorway to improve its quality and durability. It can involve removing or laying new asphalt, concrete or gravel or applying new markings or coatings.

These are some of the central schemes and projects that are part of the fourth phase of the M1 motorway. National Highways carry them out the government agency responsible for managing and maintaining England’s motorways and major roads. The M1 is vital for the UK, connecting many important destinations and regions. It is also a road that faces many challenges and issues due to its high demand and limited capacity.

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