Lengthy overnight road closures for M1 near Milton Keynes this summer as smart motorway works continue

There will be lengthy overnight road closures on the stretch of the M1 near Milton Keynes this summer so that smart motorway works can continue.

Highways England is in the process of converting the M1 into a four-lane motorway, also known as a smart motorway.

The full smart motorway works between Bedford, Milton Keynes and Northampton will most likely conclude in 2022.

There have been constant roadworks surrounding Junction 14, and in the next few months, there will be overnight road closures to allow for further work to take place.

Engineers will be installing traffic sensors as part of the "Motorway Incident Detection Automatic Signalling system".

Highways England explains: "This detects the levels of traffic and provides real-time information to our regional control room staff who monitor the traffic conditions and safety. The data also automatically sets and adjusts the variable traffic speed limits shown on the motorway message signs to drivers. It keeps traffic moving smoothly, reduces congestion, makes journey times more reliable, and helps reduce accidents."

The M1 will be closed on the following dates:

There will be diversions clearly signposted while the road closures are in place.