Stretch of M1 scheme to return to 70mph

But the hard shoulder will not be available as a traffic lane, the Highways Agency has warned.

Works started in 2008 on a hard shoulder running scheme between junctions 10 and 13, so that traffic can use the hard shoulder to ease congestion at busy times.

Project manager Andy Hitch said: “We know road users will welcome this, as the M1 is a very busy stretch of motorway, but it’s important that people note that this section is not yet a fully operational section of managed motorway, so the hard shoulder is not available as a traffic lane.”

The agency says it expects hard shoulder running to be in place between junctions 10 and 11 by the end of July.