M1 junction 13 to junction 16 smart motorway
We’ve improved a 23-mile section of the M1 between junctions 13 and 16 by upgrading it to an All-Lane Running (ALR) motorway to support economic growth and ease congestion in the area. The project is completed, but there are still some road closures on this stretch for the construction of Segro Logistics Park in Northampton by junction 15a.
Project information
Visit our M1 J13-16 Smart Motorway feedback tool to have your say. The tool includes an interactive map. You can click on a location to make a specific comment, or give us your general feedback.
ECHO is a one-way feedback tool, so if you’d like a response to your feedback you can email the project team at: M1J13-16Smart@nationalhighways.co.uk
We converted the existing section of the M1 from Junction 13 at Milton Keynes South to Junction 16 at the Upper Heyford Interchange (A45 to Daventry, A4500 to Northampton) into a smart motorway.
The project involved:
- converting the motorway between junctions 13 to 16 into four lanes of traffic with no hard shoulder
- installing 46 emergency areas with emergency roadside telephones
- new overhead gantries and electronic signs to show the variable speed limits and provide driver information
- new and replacement safety barriers in the central reservation and verge areas
- CCTV cameras
- new noise barriers and partial replacement of the existing noise barrier
- planting trees and bushes to replace any removed during construction
The M1 is a key strategic road, carrying high volumes of heavy goods and other vehicles between London and the North.
This project aimed to help ease congestion and make journey times more reliable during busy periods on this stretch of motorway, and to:
- reduce congestion and smooth the flow of traffic to improve travel times and make journeys more reliable between Bedfordshire, Milton Keynes and Northamptonshire.
- support the economy within the region by providing much needed capacity on the motorway, reducing the cost of economic delay to commuters and business traffic
- maximise motorway capacity while maintaining safety on motorways
- minimise environmental impacts
M1 junctions 13 to 16 smart motorway - variable mandatory speed limits - 26 March 2018 to 23 April 2018
An environmental screening exercise at an early stage of the project indicated that it was considered unlikely there would be significant adverse effects resulting from the M1 junctions 13 to 16 smart motorway scheme.
The key issues considered included:
- air quality mitigation, in relation to housing and air quality management areas
- surveys for protected species and habitats including bats, badgers dormouse and great crested newts
- to minimise the loss of vegetative screening along the scheme and to design mitigation to reinforce screening for the future
Some sections of the existing noise barrier were replaced with new sections of environmental barrier, as they had reached the end of their lifespan.
Additional noise barriers were delivered as part of the scheme design at a number of Noise Important Areas.
Documents
M1 junction 13 to junction 16 environmental study report (ESR)
ESR Appendix B - Air Quality
ESR Appendix C - Noise and Vibration
ESR Appendix D - Landscape and Visual
ESR Appendix E - Cultural Heritage
ESR Appendix - Affected Road Network 2021
ESR Appendix - Air Quality Management Areas
ESR Appendix - Committed Developments
ESR Appendix - Compliance Risk Road Network
ESR Appendix - Construction Noise and Vibration diversion routes J13-14 northbound
ESR Appendix - Construction Noise and Vibration diversion routes J13-14 southbound
ESR Appendix - Construction Noise and Vibration diversion routes J14-15 northbound
ESR Appendix - Construction Noise and Vibration diversion routes J14-15 southbound
ESR Appendix - Construction Noise and Vibration diversion routes J15a-16 northbound
ESR Appendix - Construction Noise and Vibration diversion routes J15a-16 southbound
ESR Appendix - Construction noise. Areas of potential significant adverse effects
ESR Appendix - Construction vibration. Areas of potential significant adverse effects
ESR Appendix - Cultural Heritage Receptors
ESR Appendix - Discussion Region Receptors
ESR Appendix - Do Something Results 2021
ESR Appendix - Ecological Receptors
ESR Appendix - Enviromental Masterplan (mitigation strategy)
ESR Appendix - Flood Risk from Rivers
ESR Appendix - Landscape Character, Viewpoints and Visibility
ESR Appendix - Location and results of noise survey
ESR Appendix - Monitoring Locations
ESR Appendix - Operational road traffic noise. Long term Do-Minimum comparison day time
ESR Appendix - Operational road traffic noise. Long term Do-Minimum comparison night time
ESR Appendix - Operational road traffic noise. Long term Do-Something comparison day time
ESR Appendix - Operational road traffic noise. Long term Do-Something comparison night time
ESR Appendix - Operational road traffic noise. Proposed Noise Barriers
ESR Appendix - Operational road traffic noise. Short-term comparison day time
ESR Appendix - Scheme Location
ESR Appendix - Surface Water Flood Risk
ESR Appendix - Verification Zones
ESR Appendix - Viewpoint Photographs
Traffic information
Information about scheduled roadworks and events on our motorways and major roads.X
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