Travel delays over M1 safety work

The work is due to be completed in January 2009

Drivers have been warned to expect delays to their journeys as safety work is due to begin on the M1 through Northamptonshire and Bedfordshire.

The Highways Agency is spending £2.6m on a scheme to replace concrete parapets to improve the safety of bridges across the motorway.

Work is due to start on 28 July and should be completed in January 2009.

Overnight lane closures are expected during this period, a Highways Agency spokesman said.

The scheme will see work on the Broughton/Salford Road bridge in Bedfordshire and the Flore to Brockhall Road bridge, Watling Street to Brookhall Road bridge and the Brockhall private access bridge - all in Northamptonshire.

Rob Barron, Highways Agency project manager, said: "The work will replace the old concrete parapet walls with new metal parapets on new reinforced concrete plinths.

"The works on the local roads will take place during the daytime to ensure best value for money, but the lane closures on the M1 will only take place during the night when traffic flows are lighter ensuring delays are kept to a minimum for motorists."