The following summary of planned new and ongoing road improvements over the coming week is correct as of 10 February but could be subject to change due to weather conditions or unforeseen circumstances. All our improvement work is carried out with the aim of causing as little disruption as possible.

M1 junction 28 to 35a, Nottinghamshire/Derbyshire/Yorkshire: smart motorway

There are various restrictions in place on the M1 between junctions 28 and 35a to allow for the construction of the smart motorway. These include lane closures, speed restrictions, hard shoulder running and overnight slip road or carriageway closures.

On Monday 13 February the northbound carriageway between junctions 32 and 33, northbound exit slip at junction 29, southbound up and over at junctions 32 and 33 and M18 southbound to northbound M1 link will be closed overnight from 8pm until 6am.

On Tuesday 14 February the northbound carriageway between junctions 32 and 33, northbound entry slip at junction 29, northbound exit slip at junction 34, southbound entry slip at junction 34, southbound up and over at junctions 32 and 33 and M18 southbound to northbound M1 link will be closed overnight from 8pm until 6am.

On Wednesday 15 February the northbound carriageway between junctions 32 and 33, northbound entry slip at junction 29, southbound up and over at junctions 32 and 33 and M18 southbound to northbound M1 link will be closed overnight from 8pm until 6am.

On Thursday 16 February the northbound carriageway between junctions 32 and 33, northbound entry slip at junction 28 and M18 southbound to northbound M1 link will be closed overnight from 8pm until 6am.

On Friday 17 February the northbound exit slip at junctions 30 and 33 and the southbound up and over at junctions 33 and 34 will be closed overnight from 8pm until 6am.

On Saturday 18 February and Sunday 19 February the northbound up and over at junctions 32 and 33 will be closed overnight from 8pm until 6am.

M1 junction 19 to 16, Northamptonshire: smart motorway

On Monday 13 February and Tuesday 14 February there will be a full southbound carriageway closure between junctions 18 and 16 along with the closure of two lanes northbound; closure of the southbound junction 18 entry slip, closure of southbound entry and exit slips at Watford gap services and closure of the southbound junction 16 exit slip from 9pm to 6am.

From Wednesday 15 February to Friday 17 February two lanes will be closed north and southbound between junctions 18 and 16 from 9pm to 6am.

General enquiries

Members of the public should contact the Highways England customer contact centre on 0300 123 5000.

Media enquiries

Journalists should contact the Highways England press office on 0844 693 1448 and use the menu to speak to the most appropriate press officer.

Defence Secretary Sir Michael Fallon and Cypriot Defence Minister Christoforos Fokaides signed a Defence Co-operation Programme in the capital Nicosia today, agreeing to closer working.

Building on the agreement signed last year, the Ministers agreed that the key regional partners would now work closely across Special Forces, counter terrorism, Crisis Response, intelligence, Air Defence, hybrid warfare and cyber.

Improved Maritime Search and Rescue co-operation will be a particular focus, and during his visit Sir Michael offered Cyprus the chance to display alongside the international community at Royal International Air Tattoo 2017 and reviewed opportunities for naval personnel exchanges.

Defence Secretary Sir Michael Fallon said:

Britain is stepping up its global role and Cyprus is a key partner in promoting European security and stability.

We have now committed to strengthen our defence partnership with greater co-operation in areas such as counter terrorism, maritime security, and crisis response.

The Defence Secretary also announced the continuing commitment to train senior Cypriot Officers at the Royal College of Defence Studies together with other training being opened up on the Advanced Command and Staff Course.

While in Cyprus, Sir Michael visited the Zenon Joint Rescue Coordination Centre, on the island’s south coast. Extending the Republic of Cyprus’ crisis response capability, the centre incorporates modern maritime surveillance and warning systems and is central to Cyprus’s efforts to tackle illegal human trafficking.

Sir Michael’s visit comes at an important time for Cyprus, following the UN-facilitated talks held in Geneva in January, and as negotiations continue towards a solution to the long-standing Cyprus issue. The Defence Secretary confirmed that as a Guarantor Power, the UK will do whatever necessary to secure a settlement and our priority is for both sides to find an agreement allowing each community to feel secure.

Defence Secretary Sir Michael Fallon met UK Armed Forces personnel at RAF Akrotiri during the visit. Crown Copyright.

The Defence Secretary also took the opportunity to thank the Cyriot Minister for their support to Op Shader, with British aircraft operating from RAF Akrotiri, and Cyprus’ own contribution including to the foreign fighters part of the campaign. Sir Michael visited RAF Akrotiri, meeting with 903 Expeditionary Airwing later in the day. Since Sir Michael’s last visit in September last year, the RAF has attacked 330 further terrorist targets in and around Mosul, working in the closest possible cooperation with the brave Iraqi troops.

The 10-week road improvement scheme is scheduled to start in early April and will not only improve safety for road users, but will also improve crossing facilities for pedestrians.

Included in the work will be reconfigured lane markings, a signalised pedestrian crossing, the installation of speed activated signs in both directions, a new, high-friction road surface and signage.

Highways England operations and maintenance team leader Nick Reed said:

We have been liaising with our local authority partners and listening to communities to make sure we have the right junction layout in place for this scheme.

We have looked at all of the available safety measures for this junction and we are now in a position to start the safety improvement scheme.

Traffic management will be in place during the work, we will be working to keep disruption to a minimum and further details will be available in due course.

The safety improvement scheme is expected to cost around £560,000 and is due to be completed in mid-June, in time for the summer holidays.

During any roadworks, Highways England advises drivers to plan their journeys and allow extra time while they are being delivered.

Drivers can get up-to-the-minute travel information by phoning the Highways England Information Line on 0300 123 5000 or by accessing the website.

Further information regarding current and planned roadworks in the South West region plus neighbouring regions, including the programme, can be found on the Highways England website.

General enquiries

Members of the public should contact the Highways England customer contact centre on 0300 123 5000.

Media enquiries

Journalists should contact the Highways England press office on 0844 693 1448 and use the menu to speak to the most appropriate press officer.