M1 Junction 21 (M69, A563, A5460)

Map of M1 Junction 21 — M1 Junction 21. Map data © OpenStreetMap contributors. Map drawing © Corporate Ace Limited.

Junction 21 is where the M1 meets the M69 for Coventry and the A5460 for central Leicester, about three and a half miles north-east. Fosse Park and the shopping around it are beside the junction, with Thorpe Astley, Braunstone Town and Enderby all close. Expect queues at weekends as well as at rush hour. Leicester Forest East Services lies between Junctions 21 and 21A.

Fosse Park shoppers, Leicester commuters, students and drivers heading for the M69 all meet here. Whether you are a regular or a first-time visitor, check this junction before you go.

Check this junction now: live M1 speed flow map · latest M1 traffic news · M1 serious incidents · M1 accidents

M1 Junction 21 Now: Accidents, Incidents and Roadworks

Live traffic news at M1 Junction 21

Incidents and roadworks between Junction 20 and Junction 22 that we are aware of.

Hard shoulder closure southbound

Active nowRoadworksSouthbound

Time now: Wednesday, 21 October 2026, 21:57 (9:57pm)

21:50 (9:50pm)21 Oct 2026reported 6 min ago

Location: M1 southbound between J22 and J21A
Direction: Southbound
Lanes closed: Hard shoulder closed
Reason: Maintenance work
Schedule: 09:00 (9am) Sun 30 Nov 2025 → 09:00 (9am) Mon 30 Nov 2026

⏳Long-term works - HA planned end: 09:00 (9am) Mon 30 Nov 2026.

+ 2 more near Junction 21 - see all the M1 traffic news →

This is the news for Junction 21 only, not the whole M1. For the rest of the motorway see all the latest M1 traffic news, the overhead signs and the speed limits in force now.

Updated 21:57 (9:57pm) Wed 21 Oct 2026

Live Traffic Speeds at M1 Junction 21

The speed strip below shows the M1 around this junction, both directions, from National Highways’ live data, checked every five minutes.

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60 mph +50–5930–4915–29under 15

closedM62connecting motorwayA6A road👈M1our site: tap for its map

services, on the side you can reach them

crashincidentqueueroadworksspeed limitspeed shown on the signsstop-startoverhead sign

reported by drivers, which can’t always be relied onconfirmed by National Highways

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Go to our live M1 traffic speed flow map ›

In an emergency call 999. To report a problem on a motorway, call National Highways on 0300 123 5000 (24 hours).

NOTE: The speed flow, overhead sign messages or other information shown on our live traffic speed flow map is updated every few minutes. We cross check the data and aim to provide warnings if there could be a delay or an inaccurate speed reading. There can be occasions, beyond our control, and despite our best efforts where the speed flow could be inaccurate. We cannot therefore guarantee the speed you can expect on any stretch of the motorway is always accurately shown. However we hope you will find our live traffic speed flow map a useful tool in trying to plan your journey. Safe driving.

All the latest M1 traffic news →Live M1 traffic speed flow map →

M1 J21 in Our Records

Incidents here, last 13 days33 collisions, 0 breakdowns or obstructions

Typical time to clear32 minutesthe middle value of 3 cleared

Slowest daytime hour northbound16:00–17:00average 56 mph (typical 58 mph)

Slowest daytime hour southbound07:00–08:00average 53 mph (typical 54 mph)

All 3 incidents we recorded at J21 in the last 13 days were collisions. In both directions, traffic usually keeps close to its typical speed through the day.

Average speed by hour of day at J21

our average, last 13 daysNational Highways’ typical speed

Northbound

Southbound

Incidents per week at J21

collisionsbreakdowns and obstructions* part week: we started recording during it

The latest 3 here

Fri 16 Oct, 14:31 (2:31pm) Collision ✓Reported by National Highways
M1 northbound between junctions J21 and J22
✓ Cleared after about 32 minutes
Thu 15 Oct, 15:48 (3:48pm) Collision ✓Reported by National Highways
M1 northbound between junctions J20 and J21
✓ Cleared after about 12 minutes
Wed 14 Oct, 14:56 (2:56pm) Collision ✓Reported by National Highways
M1 northbound between junctions J20 and J21
✓ Cleared after about 38 minutes

Built from our own records of National Highways’ live data for the M1 either side of J21: speeds from 13 days of five-minute readings, incidents from the last 13 days (we started recording incidents on 09/10/2026). Each incident is counted once. Updated every five minutes.

Junction M1 J21
Roads at this junction M69, A563, A5460
Nearest town Leicester, 3.5 miles north-east
Junction before J20, Misterton Interchange, about 10.5 miles in a straight line
Junction after J21A, about 2.3 miles in a straight line

Around M1 Junction 21: Towns and Places on the Map

Map of the area within about 5 miles of M1 Junction 21, showing the towns, villages, roads and places to visit — The area within about 5 miles of M1 Junction 21. Map data © OpenStreetMap contributors. Map drawing © Corporate Ace Limited.

Places on the Map Near M1 Junction 21
Place	What it is	From the junction
Highway Spinney	Attraction	About 1.5 miles north
National Gas Museum	Attraction	About 2.5 miles north-east
Glen Parva Moat	Historic house or castle	About 2.5 miles south-east
Friar Lane and Epworth Football Club	Venue	About 2.5 miles east
South Wigston	Railway station	About 3 miles south-east
Leicester Castle	Historic house or castle	About 3 miles north-east