Reminder: Part of M1 junction 24 closed this weekend for bridge work
The Highways Agency is reminding road users – particularly those with flights to catch at East Midlands Airport - that part of the M1 at junction 24 in Leicestershire will be closed this weekend.
Advance notice is also given that the A50 eastbound will be closed overnight between the Warren Farm roundabout at junction 24A and M1 junction 24 for a period of 5 weeks commencing on Monday 22 September.
The southern bridge of junction 24 on the M1 will be shut from 8pm on Friday 19 September to 6am on Monday 22 September as part of a £6 million Pinch Point scheme to improve capacity.
An additional lane is being added to the bridge but it needs to be strengthened and re-waterproofed first.
The closure will affect A50 eastbound, M1 southbound, A453 southbound and A6 northbound traffic heading towards East Midlands Airport as well as A453 and A6 traffic heading to the A50 westbound or M1 northbound
Highways Agency Assistant Project Manager Robin Jackson said:
“For the last seven weeks we have been closing the bridge overnight to strengthen it in readiness for the additional traffic it will take once the scheme is complete in the New Year.
“This weekend we will be re-waterproofing the bridge, so we need the weather to be favourable. It has to be bone dry to carry out the work so if it isn’t we will have to come back another time.
“We advise road users to allow extra time for their journeys during this work, particularly if they have a flight to catch.
There will be periods over the weekend when it will appear there are limited activities taking place on the bridge. This is to allow for drying and cooling time for the re-waterproofing and resurfacing materials and the testing we need carry out on these materials.”
During the closure, traffic will be diverted southbound on the M1 to junction 23 where it will turn around and head north, leaving the M1 at junction 23a. A separate signed diversion will be in place for non-motorway traffic. Road users are advised to allow at least an extra 15 minutes for their journey.
The Highways Agency and its contractors have liaised with a number of stakeholders about the closures including East Midlands Airport, Donington Park, public transport operators, local authorities and a number of local businesses.
Advance notice is also given that the A50 eastbound will be closed overnight between the Warren Farm roundabout at junction 24A and M1 junction 24 for a period of 5 weeks commencing on Monday 22nd September. These closures will be weekdays only (Monday to Friday) between 8pm and 6am. Traffic will be diverted northbound on the M1 to junction 25 where it will turn around and head south to access junction 24. The £6million M1 junction 24 scheme will see the construction of a new carriageway in the middle of the junction to remove traffic travelling from the A50 to the M1 southbound from the roundabout and instead redirect it to the entry slip road at M1 junction 23a via the A453.The work is due to end early in 2015.
General enquiries
Members of the public should contact the Highways Agency Information Line on 0300 123 5000.
Media enquiries
Journalists should contact the Highways Agency press office on 0844 693 1448 and use the menu to speak to the most appropriate press officer.