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  "path": "/lifestyle/cars/yorkshire-motorway-expanded-speeds-road-closure-a1m",
  "publishedAt": "2026-03-30T11:13:58.000Z",
  "site": "https://www.gbnews.com",
  "tags": [
    "New driving laws could see mobility scooters travel at 20mph impacting travel for thousands",
    "Millions of drivers prepare for £700 compensation decision in car finance scandal update",
    "Labour to unveil major parking changes under new proposals impacting every English council",
    "The GB News Editorial Charter"
  ],
  "textContent": "\n\n\nDrivers have been warned to expect road works and lower speed limits along a major road this Easter as part of new safety proposals.\n\nThe A1(M) between Junctions 43 and 44 will be subject to a 50mph speed limit from today, after work begins to add a fifth lane to this busy stretch near Leeds.\n\n###\n\n\n\n\nThe mile-long section of the road will be widened to ease congestion and improve safety, National Highways confirmed.\n\nAs part of the upgrade, the agency will install new lights, drainage, CCTV, updated emergency phones, fresh signage, and a central barrier. Engineers will also lay ultra-low noise surfacing across all five lanes.\n\n###\n\n\n\n\nTRENDING\n\nStories\n\nVideos\n\nYour Say\n\n###\n\n\n\n\nSimon Taylor, Project Manager at National Highways, said: \"We see many vehicles weaving between the junctions, and this extra lane will help reduce congestion around these busy junctions.\n\n\"By using the space, we can avoid impacting the verge and wooded cutting, which acts as a buffer for residents in Aberford.\"\n\nThe new lane will use existing carriageway space, filling the section that currently narrows to four lanes, the agency detailed.\n\nMeanwhile, part of the hard shoulder will be converted into the fifth lane, but a hard shoulder will remain once the work is completed.\n\n###\n\n\n\n\n###\n\n\n\n\n###\n\n\n\n\nTraffic management during construction will be similar to the recent central barrier project.\n\nLane 1 and the hard shoulder on both the M1 and A1(M) northbound will be closed over a 3km stretch, with the 50mph limit in place for the safety of workers and drivers.\n\nThe work is expected to finish in August, with National Highways stating that the upgrade will make journeys smoother, safer, and quieter for drivers.\n\nBut as part of the revamp, National Highways has warned of a series of planned closures which will take place overnight between 8pm and 6am on April 8, 9, and 10.\n\n### LATEST DEVELOPMENTS\n\n\n\n\n  * New driving laws could see mobility scooters travel at 20mph impacting travel for thousands\n  * Millions of drivers prepare for £700 compensation decision in car finance scandal update\n  * Labour to unveil major parking changes under new proposals impacting every English council\n\n\n\n###\n\n\n\n\n###\n\n\n\n\n###\n\n\n\n\nThe A1(M) southbound between the same junctions will also close on April 11 and 12. In addition, parts of the M1 northbound between junctions 46 and 48 will close overnight on the same dates.\n\nAs part of the changes, the extra lane has been designed to reduce congestion in an area where traffic frequently weaves between junctions.\n\nThe preparatory work has already begun, and the main construction is scheduled to begin today, with the scheme expected to take around five months to complete.\n\nDuring construction, diversions will be in place with drivers advised to plan ahead and allow extra travel time, although the hard shoulder will remain open once the work is completed.\n\n###\n\n\n\n\n###\n\n\n\n\n###\n\n\n\n\nBut some local residents and road users have questioned the closures, with one resident asking why the work could not have been carried out when the barrier project was completed.\n\nMeanwhile, someone else raised concerns about the closure of southbound lanes for northbound work, and the need for M1 lane closures when the work is limited to a stretch of the A1(M).\n\nNational Highway shared: \"An environmental weight limit through Aberford will also apply during these closures.\n\n\"Further closures will be needed later in the project for gantry work, resurfacing and removal of traffic management. Dates will be shared once confirmed.\"\n\n###\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n**Our Standards: The GB News Editorial Charter**",
  "title": "Drivers to see major motorway expanded as thousands face 50mph speeds and road closures"
}