M1 junction 30 to 31 emergency area retrofit northbound and southbound

From January 2024 we are set to build an additional 10 emergency areas on the M1 between junction 30 near Barlborough in Derbyshire and junction 31 at Aston in South Yorkshire. This is in addition to the existing six.

Start date January 2024

End date January 2025

Cost TBC

Latest updates

12 December 2024

Progress update - December 2024

We're pleased to let our customers know, that having been delayed by the storm last week, we have now removed the remaining traffic management from between junctions 30 to 31 in both directions and restored the national speed limit.

The new emergency areas are operational and available to our customers.

We will remove our average speed cameras very soon, and until this takes place, we have placed cameras not in use signs with them.

On the south bound M1 at junction 30 we have adjusted our traffic management on the approach to the retrofit scheme that is in the final stages between junctions 28 and 30.

We are making good progress with this upgrade and we’re on schedule to have this remaining section completed in March 2025.
27 November 2024

Final technology testing in progress

We have installed 10 additional emergency areas between junctions 30 to 31. These are very close to being fully completed and are under final technology testing stage.

To test these systems, we must remove our temporary metal barriers, large machines and works vehicles, which gives the impression of a coned off, completed emergency area with no visible work taking place.

We know that this is frustrating for our customers and we would like to reassure you that we will remove the roadworks as soon as our testing is done.
05 January 2024

Work starts in January 2024

Work on the M1 between junctions 30 and 31 will start from Monday 15 January 2024 and is expected to last around a year.

To help us carry out the upgrade safely, the left-hand lane will be closed throughout construction, in both directions. Lanes two, three and four will remain open with a 50mph speed limit in place.

Current and new emergency areas between M1 junction 30 and 31

Work will be carried out Mondays to Fridays from 7am to 7pm. Some overnight and weekend work may be required, and this will be communicated in advance.

All existing emergency areas on the M1 will remain open wherever possible throughout construction. At limited locations where it is necessary to temporarily close an emergency area, a new temporary emergency area will be provided nearby and clearly signed.

The upgrade is part of work to add more emergency areas to all-lane running motorways across the country.

See more updates

Project information

We have listened to drivers' concerns about being able to find a safe place to stop in an emergency on all lane running (ALR) smart motorways.

We have been developing a programme to create additional emergency areas on sections of ALR motorway across the country, including an additional 12 emergency areas on the M1 between junctions 32 and 35A, in addition to the existing eight. We are now ready to start this work between junction 30 and 31 of the M1.

View a map of current and new emergency areas between M1 junction 30 and 31.

On motorways that don’t have a permanent hard shoulder, emergency areas provide a place to stop in an emergency if you can't exit the motorway or stop at a motorway service area.

They are clearly signed at regular intervals along the motorway and have bright orange road surfaces to help you identify them. At 100 metres long, they have plenty of space for even the largest lorry plus a recovery vehicle and they are equipped with emergency telephones linking directly to our control rooms to get help on the way quickly.