Overnight closures at M1 between junctions 18 and 19 as Catthorpe scheme progresses

Fleets are being advised of various overnight closures on the M1 between junctions 18 to 19 at Catthorpe in Leicestershire on Sunday and Monday (9 and 10 November).

The closures will take place between 10pm and 5am. During these closures changes will be made to the traffic management, moving the contraflow onto the southbound carriageway of the M1.  This can only go ahead when the motorway is closed.

The work will enable the next phase of construction of the new direct link from the M6 to the A14 under the M1.
A gantry on the M1 northbound where the road joins the M6 will also be removed as it is no longer required and inspections of existing structures will also be undertaken.

Highways Agency project manager Ivan Marriott said: “This £191 million scheme will improve the flow of traffic at Catthorpe junction via the new link road which will join the M6 with the A14.

“We have planned the work to take place overnight to minimise disruption to road users and advise motorists to plan their journeys, leaving extra time if necessary.

“Once completed, the scheme will help boost the local economy and drivers can expect improved journey times around this busy junction.”

On Sunday the M1 will be closed northbound between junctions 18 and 19. Traffic will be diverted at junction 18 onto the A5 northbound and the A4303 eastbound to re-join the M1 at junction 20.

Traffic using the M6 will be diverted at the M1 junction 18 northbound onto the A5 and the A426 to re-join the M6 at junction 1. 

The southbound carriageway will be closed at junction between the A14 diverge off slip and M6 southbound on-slip.

Traffic will be diverted at junction 19 onto the M6 westbound to the M6 at junction 1, then turned around along the M6 eastbound to re-join the M1 at junction 19.

The same closures will take place next Monday night and in addition, the A14 to M1 northbound slip road at junction will also be closed to align the traffic management with the new contraflow.

Traffic will be diverted to the M6 junction 1, the A426, A5 and A4303 to re-join the M1 at junction 20.

In case the works are delayed, for example due to severe weather, the closures will take place on Tuesday 11 and Wednesday 12 November.

Further information about the project is available on the schemes pages on the Highways Agency’s website.