M1 Junction 21A
Junction 21A links the M1 to the A46 for Leicester's north-west side, with Kirby Muxloe and Leicester Forest East beside it. Kirby Muxloe Castle is under a mile north-west. Leicester city centre is about three and a half miles east. Tropical Birdland is about three and a half miles west.
West Leicester and Kirby Muxloe residents, and drivers looking for a way round the bigger Junction 21, use Junction 21A.
Check this junction now: live M1 speed flow map · latest M1 traffic news · M1 serious incidents · M1 accidents
M1 Junction 21A Now: Accidents, Incidents and Roadworks
Live traffic news at M1 Junction 21A
Incidents and roadworks between Junction 20 and Junction 22 that we are aware of.
Hard shoulder closure southbound
21:50 (9:50pm)21 Oct 2026reported 11 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
+ 2 more near Junction 21A - see all the M1 traffic news →
This is the news for Junction 21A 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 22:02 (10:02pm) Wed 21 Oct 2026
Live Traffic Speeds at M1 Junction 21A
The speed strip below shows the M1 around this junction, both directions, from National Highways’ live data, checked every five minutes.
Untick all three to see just the speeds. We show the important overhead signs and the mandatory speed limits (red ring); see every overhead sign.
Go to our live M1 traffic speed flow map ›
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 J21A in Our Records
The one incident we recorded at J21A in the last 13 days was a collision. Northbound, traffic usually keeps close to its typical speed through the day; the slowest hour is 16:00. Southbound, the slowest daytime hour is 08:00, about 5 mph below the typical speed.
Average speed by hour of day at J21A
Northbound
Southbound
Incidents per week at J21A
The latest 1 here
- Tue 13 Oct, 17:34 (5:34pm) Collision ✓Reported by National Highways
M1 southbound between junctions J22 and J21A
✓ Cleared after about 303 minutes (5.05 hours)
Built from our own records of National Highways’ live data for the M1 either side of J21A: 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 J21A
- Nearest town Leicester, 3.5 miles east
- Junction before J21, about 2.3 miles in a straight line
- Junction after J22, about 5.4 miles in a straight line
Around M1 Junction 21A: Towns and Places on the Map
| Place | What it is | From the junction |
|---|---|---|
| Kirby Muxloe Castle | Attraction | Under a mile north-west |
| Highway Spinney | Attraction | About 1 mile south-east |
| Leicester Castle | Historic house or castle | About 3 miles east |
| Castle Hill Country Park | Park or nature reserve | About 3.5 miles north-east |
| National Gas Museum | Attraction | About 3.5 miles east |
| Tropical Birdland | Attraction | About 3.5 miles west |
| Leicester Abbey | Attraction | About 3.5 miles east |
| Uptonsteel County Ground | Venue | About 3.5 miles south-east |
