M1 motorway - still 50mph average speed zones?

[braddo]

It's been a while since I've driven on the M1 but are there still any lengthy 50mph average speed zones?

There are have been times where there have been an hour's worth of travelling in them but perhaps that was years ago now...

[Chubbyross]

They pushed the limit up to 60mph on the previous 50 zones but people still drove at 50 for some reason. I think that section has cleared now around Rugby.

[numtumfutunch]

The looooooooong 50 mph section around Milton Keynes was uprated to 60 around Easter I think however heavy traffic has generally routed me on the M40 since then

[BertBert]

Isn't it all finished now?

[Maxym]

Yes, finished.

[braddo]

Thanks. If anyone is aware of any existing 50mph zones on the M1 it would be helpful. I find that motorway so boring!

[clayts450]

braddo said:

Thanks. If anyone is aware of any existing 50mph zones on the M1 it would be helpful. I find that motorway so boring!

Regular traveller on pretty much the whole length of the M1.

There's currently a tiny section in each direction either side of J13 which causes carnage every day as we go to 3 lanes and no hard shoulder.

There's a short section around the M62 split due to ongoing works on the interchange (likely to be long-term).

And soon to come, an absolute horror show between J32 and 35A in each direction, north of the M18 split (northbound) and up to the A616 turnoff (J35a). Down to three lanes and a 50mph speed limit throughout. Starting imminently until Winter 2024, putting in some more ERAs as this is a SMART section. Currently there is a 60mph air quality limit from J33 to J34 which seems to take forever to get through - this will be worse.

[braddo]

Nice one, thanks. So pretty much all clear now between London and Sheffield.

[Racing Newt]

Recently there have been some average speed cameras erected at the Tinsley viaduct area up to the Manchester road exit, just past the Chapeltown junction, on the M1 it maybe an extension of the average speed section on the Barnsley/Sheffield road at Tankersley ( A61), they are not "live" at the moment.

[Jamescrs]

braddo said:

Nice one, thanks. So pretty much all clear now between London and Sheffield.

I drive up from Leicester to Leeds today and no road works before Sheffield.

[Flying Phil]

Just watch out for the "temporary" 60 for roadworks which go on for 5 miles in South Northants, for a few cones around one bridge, and no lane closures or workers....the speed camera is live and yes 69 mph at 2.30 in the morning does result in an NIP.....

And why is there a permanent, It seems, 60mph through Sheffield - I know it is "For air quality" but what is so special about the air there?

Edited by Flying Phil on Friday 9th June 22:57

Edited by Flying Phil on Friday 9th June 22:57

[livinginasia]

Flying Phil said:

Just watch out for the "temporary" 60 for roadworks which go on for 5 miles in South Northants, for a few cones around one bridge, and no lane closures or workers....the speed camera is live and yes 69 mph at 2.30 in the morning does result in an NIP.....

And why is there a permanent, It seems, 60mph through Sheffield - I know it is "For air quality" but what is so special about the air there?

Edited by Flying Phil on Friday 9th June 22:57

Edited by Flying Phil on Friday 9th June 22:57

The air is just the right density for speed cameras to fine lots of people travelling slowly on a motorway !

[clayts450]

Forgot to add there is also a small 50 mph limit M1 southbound just before J19 (A14 turnoff), under the M6 bridge, and just to where the M6 traffic joins the M1. This is because the safety barriers over the A14 got mullered by a truck a few weeks back. No sign of any work being done yet, though.

And also be warned traffic around J25->J23 is likely to be awful on Monday as 120000 people make their home after the Download festival.

[clayts450]

And the 50mph limit through Sheffield has now started, but thankfully not the whole section 32->35a.

Pain in the proverbial, as when I'm going North East or Scotland bound on a delivery I used to take the 8 mile detour around the M1 to join the A1M at Leeds, to avoid the horrendous roadworks on the A1 near Donny which has that down to a 1-lane contraflow restricted to 40mph. It was always quicker to reroute via M1 - now, not so much...

[asimmalik]

Thought I would revive this thread a little. As a frequent user of a large part of the M1, I think it's currently the worst I've ever known it. Large parts of the motorway are now covered with 50mph zones. What used to be around a 3 hour journey from Oxfordshire to West Yorkshire is now taking what feels like another half an hour. Trouble is there's no viable alternatives for the route I take that are any quicker so it just makes it a very depressing drive.

When will this end!?

[SarGara]

First it was 50's to convert stretches into smart motorways, then it was 50s to replace central barrier with concrete, now its 50s to fix the previous smart motorway by adding "refuge zones"... sigh

[cobra kid]

Did a fair few miles on it this weekend. Very relaxing and no "concertina" effects from all the idiots. Steady free flowing traffic. MPG went through the roof as well.

[T6 vanman]

One person's MPG is another's Blood Pressure

[asimmalik]

cobra kid said:

Did a fair few miles on it this weekend. Very relaxing and no "concertina" effects from all the idiots. Steady free flowing traffic. MPG went through the roof as well.

There's a fine line between relaxing and literally falling asleep and constant speed of 50 on the motorway. Not sure how long your trip was but mine is around 120 miles of the M1, can be a challenge to stay awake let me tell you!

[Patio]

I live in East leeds and the 12 month concrete barrier install is causing a nightmare, I try and avoid using the m1 now which makes journeys longer

Regular shunts(1 yesterday needing air ambulance), crawling speed, heavy braking when yellow box in view, big delays etc

Only going to get worse