Upcoming M1 closure and Thameslink trains disrupted affecting Luton Airport

Flyers are being urged to plan ahead of a series of road closures near a major London airport which will begin tonight.

There will be several closures on the M1 near London Luton Airport throughout March. Those who will be using the airport this month are being urged to check their journeys and find alternative travel routes where necessary.

The closures will take place between Junctions 10 and 13 on the M1 on several dates in March. The work will bring technology upgrades to the M1 between these two junctions including new CCTV cameras, Motorway Incident Detection and Automatic Signalling (MIDAS) and repairing variable message signs that are used to assist with the management of traffic on the motorway.

In order to carry out the works, the M1 will be closed overnight between 10pm and 5am, when traffic is the lowest, on the chosen dates.

There will also be a temporary closure of the Airport Ring Road in place from March 10-31, while the next phase of works on the Terminal Car Park Two take place.

During this period, there will be a temporary entrance to the Terminal Car Park One. Customers who need to use this carpark will need to use the right-hand lane through the tunnel and follow the directions provided by traffic marshalls, say the airport.

Passengers using the drop off and pick up zone located directly in front of the terminal should use the left-hand lane on approach to the airport and follow the signage.

Full list of M1 closures

• Wednesday, March 5 for 1 night: Southbound: Hard shoulder, lanes 1 and 2 closed between junctions 13 and 12
• Thursday, March 6 for 1 night: Northbound: Hard shoulder, lanes 1 and 2 closed between junctions 11a and 13
• Friday, March 7 for 1 night: Northbound: Lanes 3 closed between junctions 10 and 11, Southbound: Lanes 2 and 3 closed between 11a to 10
• Monday, March 10 for 1 night: Northbound: Hard shoulder, lanes 1 and 2 closed between junctions 11a and 12
• Tuesday, March 11 for 2 nights: Southbound: Hard shoulder, lanes 1 and 2 closed between junctions 11 and 10
• Thursday, March 13 for 2 nights: Southbound: Hard shoulder, lanes 1 and 2 closed between junctions 13 and 11a including Toddington Services exit and entry slip road
• Tuesday, March 18 for 4 nights: Southbound: Full overnight closure of M1 junction 13 to 11a

Train disruption

Network Rail is carrying out essential upgrades on the Midland Main Line between Bedford and London, affecting Thameslink and East Midlands Railway (EMR) services over several weekends from 22 February to 1 June. Rail replacement buses will be in operation on affected routes. Weekend train services between Bedford and London St Pancras will be altered, with some sections replaced by buses.

Affected dates:

• 8th -9th March
• 15th -16th March
• 5th -6th April
• 12th -13th April
• 10th -11th May
• 24th -25th May
• 31st May-1st June

Buses will operate between Bedford, Luton, Harpenden, Mill Hill Broadway, and Hitchin depending on the weekend. Check Thameslink and EMR websites for specific routes.

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