M1 Junction 9: Friar's Wash (A5183)

Map of M1 Junction 9: Friar's Wash — M1 Junction 9: Friar's Wash. Map data © OpenStreetMap contributors. Map drawing © Corporate Ace Limited.

Junction 9 at Friar's Wash links the M1 to the A5183 for Redbourn and Harpenden, which is a little under three miles east. Flamstead is the village beside the junction. Woodside Animal Farm and Leisure Park is about two and a half miles north-west, and Beechwood Park about three miles west. It is a quieter stretch between the busier junctions at Hemel and Luton.

Harpenden and Redbourn residents, and visitors heading for the villages around Flamstead, join the M1 here. This page helps you decide whether it is the better junction to use on the day.

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

M1 Junction 9 Now: Accidents, Incidents and Roadworks

Live traffic news at M1 Junction 9

Incidents and roadworks between Junction 8 and Junction 10 that we are aware of.

M1 southbound Approach to Jct 9 lane 4,3,2 closure (MP 46/5 to 45/7)

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 J10 and J9
Direction: Southbound
Lanes closed: Lane closures
Reason: Construction work
Schedule: 21:00 (9pm) Wed 21 Oct 2026 → 05:00 (5am) Thu 22 Oct 2026

⏳Expected to clear in ~7h 02m HA planned end: 05:00 (5am) Thu 22 Oct 2026

+ 4 more near Junction 9 - see all the M1 traffic news →

This is the news for Junction 9 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 9

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

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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 J9 in Our Records

Incidents here, last 13 days11 collision, 0 breakdowns or obstructions

Typical time to clear–too few cleared incidents to say yet

Slowest daytime hour northbound17:00–18:00average 44 mph (typical 45 mph)

Slowest daytime hour southbound07:00–08:00average 39 mph (typical 47 mph)

The one incident we recorded at J9 in the last 13 days was a collision. Northbound, traffic usually keeps close to its typical speed through the day; the slowest hour is 17:00. Southbound, the slowest daytime hour is 07:00, about 8 mph below the typical speed.

Average speed by hour of day at J9

our average, last 12 daysNational Highways’ typical speed

Northbound

Southbound

Incidents per week at J9

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

The latest 1 here

Sat 10 Oct, 11:46 (11:46am) Collision ✓Reported by National Highways
M1 northbound between junctions J8 and J9
✓ Cleared after about 91 minutes (1.52 hours)

Built from our own records of National Highways’ live data for the M1 either side of J9: speeds from 12 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 J9, Friar's Wash
Roads at this junction A5183
Nearest town Harpenden, 2.7 miles east
Junction before J8, Breakspears, about 5.2 miles in a straight line
Junction after J10, Pepperstock, about 2.3 miles in a straight line

Around M1 Junction 9: Friar's Wash: Towns and Places on the Map

Map of the area within about 5 miles of M1 Junction 9: Friar's Wash, showing the towns, villages, roads and places to visit — The area within about 5 miles of M1 Junction 9. Map data © OpenStreetMap contributors. Map drawing © Corporate Ace Limited.

Places on the Map Near M1 Junction 9
Place	What it is	From the junction
Woodside Animal Farm & Leisure PArk	Attraction	About 2.5 miles north-west
Spire Hospital	Hospital	About 2.5 miles east
Beechwood Park	Historic house or castle	About 3 miles west