Endless M1 roadworks M25-M6 junction
Discussion
Can anyone on here shed any light on what is actually being done in the roadworks on the M1 between M25 and M6? I use it maybe once a month and I can't recall a single time in the last 10+ years where there haven't been roadworks on that stretch. Is it like painting the Forth bridge?
Yesterday I estimate 80% of that section was roadworks.
Yesterday I estimate 80% of that section was roadworks.
As above, since there was a finding that smart motorways were found to not actually be that safe plans have made to install extra emergency stop areas. The thing that’s surprised me is how much motorway has been closed off at one time on the m25, m1 and m3.
Fifteen on the M25 between junctions 23 and 27 in Hertfordshire and Essex
Ten on the M3 between junctions 2 and 4A in Surrey and Hampshire
Nine on the M25 between junctions 5 and 7 in Surrey and Kent
Twelve on the M4 between junctions 10 and 12 in Berkshire
Four on the M20 between junctions 3 and 5 in Kent
Two on the M27 between junctions 4 and 11 in Hampshire
Fifteen on the M25 between junctions 23 and 27 in Hertfordshire and Essex
Ten on the M3 between junctions 2 and 4A in Surrey and Hampshire
Nine on the M25 between junctions 5 and 7 in Surrey and Kent
Twelve on the M4 between junctions 10 and 12 in Berkshire
Four on the M20 between junctions 3 and 5 in Kent
Two on the M27 between junctions 4 and 11 in Hampshire
My question was more about the last 15 years. Understand what they are doing now, even though there is some laughable signage about what they are doing. Implied there is some drainage work going on also.
What were they doing 2009-2024? Every year there have been roadworks on that stretch. Suspect many years of roadworks to install the Smart motorway system?
What were they doing 2009-2024? Every year there have been roadworks on that stretch. Suspect many years of roadworks to install the Smart motorway system?
There's always going to be various works on such a massive stretch as you are describing. repairs, maintainance, upgrades all need to be done especially as technology heavy traffic management systems are introduced.
Certainly through the areas you have described over the years there's been some major schemes, extra lanes, bridges installed or removed, junctions redesigned or upgraded, more signs, cameras, traffic and weather monitoring systems on top of just routine re laying of tarmac, waterproofing, replacement of barriers.
The roads are always being worked on to keep them to a good standard, despite what many posters on here think.
Certainly through the areas you have described over the years there's been some major schemes, extra lanes, bridges installed or removed, junctions redesigned or upgraded, more signs, cameras, traffic and weather monitoring systems on top of just routine re laying of tarmac, waterproofing, replacement of barriers.
The roads are always being worked on to keep them to a good standard, despite what many posters on here think.
Don't really have an answer for you to be honest. I just don't know enough about those other sections to give you anything accurate.
I don't think the A1 has had so many upgrades over the years, and from the state of stretches of the M25, they probably need far more work than they have been given.
I would expect the M25 is more challenging given the amount of traffic that uses it to be diverted, and the major locations very close to it like London, the airports and the like. I would 'guess' (and it it just that) that that means any works tend to be spread out and not as likely to be given the go ahead due to the disruption. Look at what was entailed for the 2 recent planned bridge works that closed the M25. Was big news.
I don't think the A1 has had so many upgrades over the years, and from the state of stretches of the M25, they probably need far more work than they have been given.
I would expect the M25 is more challenging given the amount of traffic that uses it to be diverted, and the major locations very close to it like London, the airports and the like. I would 'guess' (and it it just that) that that means any works tend to be spread out and not as likely to be given the go ahead due to the disruption. Look at what was entailed for the 2 recent planned bridge works that closed the M25. Was big news.
tozerman said:
Recently drove from Derby to Folkestone, M1, M25, M20. 210 miles with 50 miles of roadworks and cobtraflows. So 25% of the trip at 50 mph camera monitored misery..
What happened to the 60 mph roadworks speed limit? Has it died?Motoring Research said:
Roadworks speed limit raised to 60mph
Highways England has raised the speed limit through roadworks from 50mph to 60mph on the motorways and A-roads it oversees.
https://www.motoringresearch.com/car-news/roadwork...
Highways England has raised the speed limit through roadworks from 50mph to 60mph on the motorways and A-roads it oversees.
https://www.motoringresearch.com/car-news/roadwork...
Altitude said:
The 60 was never a blanket thing. It was scheme by scheme depending on certain safety criteria being met.
I experienced the 60 roadworks limit once in 2021. Since then nothing else. Higher speeds, lower journey times and less frustration are no longer relevant. It's as though Highways England had spoken out of turn.
The J10 to J13 works are to upgrade the central reservation barrier to concrete the whole way through, a little relief is on the way as the section from J10 to J11A is almost complete.
I have to agree that the whole of the M1 section to the M6 (and the M6 itself) seem to be in a permanent state of works, no doubt someone's making a fortune.
I have to agree that the whole of the M1 section to the M6 (and the M6 itself) seem to be in a permanent state of works, no doubt someone's making a fortune.
I travelled up to Brum last week and logged my highest MPG in the Passat diesel from the MPG thread:
"virtually the whole of the northern loop of the M25 is 50mph as is a long long stretch of the M1 north from Luton. The car was the family Bussat with a 510 litre roofbox on top and the 50mph speed limit for most of it gave an in car reading of 77.8mph - the highest I've ever seen! I think my previous record was around 74ishmpg."
What really annoyed me were the signs proclaiming "You might not see us as we're working at night". Usual Highways bull as I didn't see a single worker when I went through at 4:30am, much like their love of Report of Obstruction which never materialises.
"virtually the whole of the northern loop of the M25 is 50mph as is a long long stretch of the M1 north from Luton. The car was the family Bussat with a 510 litre roofbox on top and the 50mph speed limit for most of it gave an in car reading of 77.8mph - the highest I've ever seen! I think my previous record was around 74ishmpg."
What really annoyed me were the signs proclaiming "You might not see us as we're working at night". Usual Highways bull as I didn't see a single worker when I went through at 4:30am, much like their love of Report of Obstruction which never materialises.
MrBig said:
It's just depressing isn't it. I don't use the M1 to go to London anymore, M40 all the way now, far less stressful. I'd rather my journey be 15-20 miles longer than spend time in a motorway 50mph zone, it's soul destroying.
I agree Mr Big. I live in Kent and when Google Maps tells me to use the M1 to travel down, I know that the M25 is bad and often choose to use the M6/A14/M11 rather than sit in the soul destroying 50mph zone where no-one is working despite the Highways England lying signs. 
vikingaero said:
I agree Mr Big. I live in Kent and when Google Maps tells me to use the M1 to travel down, I know that the M25 is bad and often choose to use the M6/A14/M11 rather than sit in the soul destroying 50mph zone where no-one is working despite the Highways England lying signs.
I'm see I'm not the only one doing this - however the last few times given the congestion it appears as if a lot more people have started on this route 
Winds me up the amount of roadworks in place now for installing additional safe areas in smart motorways. Having to sit in roadworks whilst these smart motorways were created and now sitting in the same roadworks again because they weren’t done properly in the first instance.
Also winds me up the people that leave lane 1 empty in the build up to the roadworks, lanes 2-4 on the M5 yesterday rammed with traffic, lane 1 (1 mile before the lane closure) totally empty. Did I take advantage of this situation? (No comment)
Also winds me up the people that leave lane 1 empty in the build up to the roadworks, lanes 2-4 on the M5 yesterday rammed with traffic, lane 1 (1 mile before the lane closure) totally empty. Did I take advantage of this situation? (No comment)
Terminator X said:
O/t but on the M3 near me we had a 50 limit and years of roadworks whilst they gave us the 4th lane eg hard shoulder to run on. After perhaps one year we have it again so that they can install more emergency bays!
TX.
I don't understand why they need to restrict the whole managed motorway portion to 50. They clearly aren't working on all of it at once. TX.
The managed motorway project as a whole just appears to be a revenue generating project for large construction corporations.
ffc said:
I don't understand why they need to restrict the whole managed motorway portion to 50. They clearly aren't working on all of it at once.
The managed motorway project as a whole just appears to be a revenue generating project for large construction corporations.
As is every contract fulfilled by a private company for a public organisation.The managed motorway project as a whole just appears to be a revenue generating project for large construction corporations.
Gassing Station | Roads | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff