'˜Smart motorway' goes live in East Midlands

The final phase of a £205 million project aimed at reducing congestion on the M1 in the East Midlands goes live today.

The new so-called ‘smart’ motorway covers a 20-mile section of the M1 between junction 28 (Mansfield) and junction 31 (Worksop) and will see the hard shoulder permanently converted to an extra lane.

The Highways England scheme also uses the latest technology to monitor traffic levels and varies the speed limits on overhead electronic signs to keep vehicles moving.

It is being delivered as part of a £15bn Government investment in motorways and major A roads by 2021.