M1 junctions 6a to 9 technology upgrade

Latest updates

• 10 April 2026

  M1 junction 8 to 9 northbound technology upgrades

  We're upgrading technology on the M1 northbound between junctions 8 and 9. 

  We start phase 2 of this work on Monday 13 April and expect to finish by the end of May 2026.

  We'll work overnight (9pm to 5am) on weeknights only, weather permitting.

  Closures and Diversion

  13 April to May 2026 - M1 northbound between junctions 8 and 9 

  Closed overnight (9pm-5am) on weeknights.

  We'll also close: 

  • the hard shoulder
  • lane 1
  • lane 2
  • entry and exit slip roads between junctions 6a and 10 overnight 

  The hard shoulder will be closed during the day for testing.

  If you're travelling northbound on the M1:

  • leave at junction 8 and join the A414 continue straight ahead at Phoenix Gateway Roundabout 
  • stay on the A414 until the A414/A4147 roundabout 
  • take the first exit onto the A4147 
  • continue on the A4147 to Batchwood Roundabout 
  • take the first exit onto the A5183 
  • follow the A5183 to M1 junction 9 
  • re-join the M1 northbound 

  Please remember that closures can change at short notice. You can check the latest information on our daily closures page or find live travel information on our Traffic England site. Our travel alerts give details of live incidents on our network.

• 20 February 2026

  Work starts 2 March 2026

  We plan to start work on Monday 2 March on the M1 in Hertfordshire. 

  We'll work overnight between 10pm and 5am on weeknights only until the end of March 2026, weather permitting. Diversions will be in place. 

  To work safely, we will need road closures on the following dates:

  Monday 2 March to Friday 20 March 2026 - Northbound junction 6a (Chiswell Green/M25) to 8 (Hemel Hempstead) Closure

  Diversion route for traffic heading north on the M1

  • Leave the M1 at junction 6.
  • Follow the North Orbital / St Albans Road towards the A414.
  • At Bricket Wood junction, take the second exit onto the A405.
  • At the third roundabout (Park Street Roundabout), take the first exit onto the A414.
  • Continue to junction 8.
  • Rejoin the M1 northbound, where the diversion ends.

  Map for traffic heading north on the M1

  Diversion route for traffic heading east on the M25

  • Leave the M25 at junction 21a
  • At Bricket Wood junction, take the first exit onto the A405.
  • At the third roundabout (Park Street Roundabout), take the first exit onto the A414.
  • Continue to junction 8.
  • Rejoin the M1 northbound, where the diversion ends.

  Map for traffic heading east on the M25

  Diversion route for traffic heading west on the M25

  • Leave the M25 at junction 21a
  • At Bricket Wood junction, take the third exit onto the A405.
  • At the third roundabout (Park Street Roundabout), take the first exit onto the A414.
  • Continue to junction 8.
  • Rejoin the M1 northbound, where the diversion ends.

  Map for traffic heading west on the M25

  Monday 23 March to Tuesday 31 March 2026 - Southbound junction 9 (Redbourn/StAlbans) to 8 (Hemel Hempstead)

  Diversion route for traffic heading south on the M1

  • Leave the M1 at junction 9
  • At the roundabout, take the first exit onto Dunstable Road (A5183)
  • At the next roundabout, take the second exit to stay on the A5183.
  • At the following roundabout, take the first exit to remain on the A5183.
  • At Batchwood Roundabout, take the third exit onto Hemel Hempstead Road (A4147) and head towards Hemel Hempstead.
  • At the St Albans / Breakspear Way roundabout, take the third exit onto the A414.
  • Rejoin the M1 southbound at junction 8, where the diversion ends here.

  Map for traffic heading south on the M1