Safety boost for major A road through Hertfordshire

Work has started on improvements to the A1 to cut road traffic collisions as National Highways aims to reduce the number of people harmed on the region’s roads.

Research shows speed plays a role in close to half of the collisions on National Highways’ roads and safety improves if motorists drive at speeds that reflect the road environment and weather conditions. The speed limit will be reduced from 70mph to 50mph on a section of the A1 between Borehamwood and South Mimms.

Work includes installing new speed limit signage that will be enforceable by police and will take place between 10pm and 6am on weeknights only, weather permitting. The new speed limits are expected to be in place by Friday 26 September.

Joanne Clifton, National Highways Project Sponsor, said: “Safety is at the heart of everything we do, and that is why our ambition remains that no-one should be harmed while travelling or working on our roads.

“We are reducing the speed limit on this stretch of the A1 following 55 injury collisions over the last five years and overall, these changes will aim to make this road safer for all users by reducing the number of collisions.”

Starting from tonight (Thursday 18 September), overnight lane, slip road and carriageway closures of the A1 between Rowley Lane and the A1(M) / M25 junction 23 will be needed to carry out the work effectively and efficiently.

Clearly signed diversions will be in place via the M25, A405, M1 and A41. Non-motorway traffic will be diverted via the A1081 and A411.

Please remember that closures can change at short notice. You can check the latest information on the National Highways daily closures page or find live travel information on the Traffic Englandsite. National Highways travel alerts give details of live incidents for their roads.

Visit National Highways’ dedicated webpage which will be updated regularly throughout the work and where you can sign up for updates.