Construction work began to the junction in July and were completed towards the end of 2013. To finish the works at this junction will require two additional partial closures of junction 21 for a couple of weekends.
The work is to reconstruct sections of the carriageways that did not form part of the improvements. This is not simple resurfacing and involves deep excavation and reconstruction which is why the works have to be done over whole weekends. Different sections are being done each weekend.
Weekend 1 (10pm Friday, January 17 to 6am Monday, January 20)
There will be a partial closure of junction 21 for the whole weekend as work is done on the reconstruction of the southern half of the roundabout.
This means that:
Traffic from Leicester approaching the junction will not be able to join the M69 or the M1 northbound. They will be taken to junction 20 and redirected as appropriate.
M1 traffic for the M69 will be taken off at junction 20 to join the M69 at junction 1 via the A4303/A5.
M1 traffic for Leicester will be taken to junction 22 on to the M1 southbound carriageway to leave at junction 21 on the designated slip on to the A5460.
Weekend 2 (10pm Friday, January 24 to 6am Monday, January 27)
There will be a partial closure of junction 21 for the whole weekend for work on the north-west quadrant of the roundabout and the M69 approach.
This means that:
Traffic from Leicester will not be able to join the M1 northbound from junction 21. Vehicles will be taken to junction 20 and redirected.
M1 traffic for Leicester will be taken on to the M1 southbound carriageway to leave at junction 21 on the designated slip on to the A5460
M69 northbound traffic heading for Leicester or M1 southbound will be taken off at junction 1 and taken to M1 junction 20 (via A5/A4303) and redirected.
In addition to these weekend works there is a one night closure of the M1 southbound designated entry slip from the A5460 on Thursday, January 16 (8pm-6am) to allow for resurfacing. Traffic will be diverted north on the M1 to junction 22 and brought back on the M1 southbound.
The junction improvements will be fully complete with increased capacity and reconstructed road surface after these two weekends.
There is the potential for long delays in the area and the diversions can be lengthy so please allow plenty of time for your journey.