Diversions in place as motorway shut down

IN just a few weeks, a section of the M1 will be shut for an entire weekend.

The southbound and northbound carriageways of the motorway between Junction 23A and Junction 24 will be closed to motorists, which could potentially cause congestion elsewhere. Between Friday, May 11 and Sunday, May 13, this section will be shut from midnight to 3pm on the 13th. A diversion, using the A453 Ashby Road, will be in place in both directions.

Though this will mainly impact motorists in Leicestershire, it will likely have a knock-on effect on drivers travelling to and from Coventry and Warwickshire, and jetsetters heading to East Midlands Airport.

The closure is believed to be in place to allow a road bridge, which forms part of the new Kegworth bypass, to be put in place.

The scheme will see a new crossing installed south of existing Ashby Road bridge, as part of infrastructure work being carried out as park of the development of the Segro Logistics Park East Midlands Gateway – a distribution hub being built by East Midlands Airport.

As well as the installation of the bridge, Highways England will be using the closure of the M1 as an opportunity to carry out essential bridge waterproofing south of J23A.

In a statement issued by Segro, it said: “As the M1 is one of the UK’s busiest motorways, we expect significant congestion and delays along this diversion route and the motorway. We advise drivers avoid this area if possible and allow for extra time for their journey – in particular if travelling to the airport.”