Motorway gets heat control system

A section of the M1 is to have its own temperature control system to ensure it is warm in winter and cool in summer.

The Highways Agency is testing the new technology on a service road near Toddington, Bedfordshire, in June.

Energy collectors, which absorb heat from road surfaces and store it as energy, will be fitted under the road.

This stored heat can be used to raise road temperatures in winter, removing ice or snow, and will absorb summer radiation to keep the surface cool.

Real benefits

Excess heat can be used to heat homes, the Highways Agency's chief engineer, Ginny Clarke said.

"If this process proves to be effective and practical, there could be real benefits for road users," she said.

"Keeping the road surface heated in winter will help keep the road free of snow and ice, which would mean less disruption and congestion.

"Successful results could also help to lengthen the life of the road surface, which means fewer roadworks.

"There are also obvious environment benefits to heating buildings from the excess heat."