National Highways has published an order imposing temporary traffic restrictions on sections of the M1, M45 and M6 covering the stretch from M1 Junction 16 to M1 Junction 19 to allow emergency refuge area remedial works.

The Order, under the Traffic Regulation Act 1984, will impose a 50 mph speed restriction on multiple carriageways and slip roads.

Affected sections include:

M1 southbound from 125m northwest of the M6 underbridge near Catthorpe to 100m northwest of the slip road to Watford Gap Services;
M6 southbound from 100m west of Newton Lane overbridge, near Newton, to the junction with the link road to the M1 J19, including that link road;
M45 eastbound from 800m east of the A5 overbridge to the nosing at its junction with the M1 southbound;
M1 northbound from 300m north of Three Bridges Road underbridge to 200m southeast of the nosing at the M45 junction;
any slip roads to or from the M1 at Junction 18 and those to/from Watford Gap Motorway Services Area.

A number of traffic restrictions will be in place on the M1 near Northampton. (Library picture)

placeholder image — A number of traffic restrictions will be in place on the M1 near Northampton. (Library picture)

In addition, several emergency refuge areas adjacent to the M1 will be closed.

These include:

Northbound from its junction with the exit slip road at J16 to its junction with the link road from the A14 (M1 J19);
Southbound from its junction with the link road to the A14 (M1 J19) to its junction with the entry slip road at J16.

Works are expected to start at 10pm on Monday May 11, 2026 and to continue for approximately three months. The order comes into force on May 4, 2026 and may remain in force for up to 18 months.

Exemptions apply for emergency service vehicles, special forces (speed restriction only), traffic officers and vehicles engaged on the works (closures only).