What the M1 overhead signs are showing
This page shows what the M1 overhead signs are displaying right now — the electronic message signs National Highways use to warn drivers about closures, queues, hazards and journey times. They are listed junction by junction, in the direction of travel, for both carriageways.
Each message shows when National Highways last set it and how long ago. Signs can warn about a road ahead, so a message may be about a road you join later. We take road-closed messages off this page 12 hours, and other messages 2 hours, after National Highways last set them.
M1 overhead signs now
The speed limits showing on the overhead signals on the M1 right now. A number in a red ring is a mandatory limit; a number on its own is advisory.
On the M1 right now there are a total of 4 speed restriction signs:
There are 4 stretches of road with a speed limit on the overhead signals
and there are 0 stretches with a roadworks speed limit in force
Checked 05:07 (5:07am) Thu 15 Oct 2026 These are the variable speed limits National Highways set on the overhead signals, usually for queues, incidents or roadworks.
Red ring = mandatory. A speed in a red ring is the legal limit. Always follow the speed shown on the signs you can see on the road. National Highways change these every few minutes, so we show when each was set.
⚠ Our last check of the speed signals was more than an hour ago, so we have hidden the speed limits until we check again.
4 speed limits on this page
M1 Southbound — 4 stretches on the signals
M1 southbound between J21 and J20
04:59 (4:59am)15 Oct 2026set 7 min ago✓ Checked by us 05:07 (5:07am)
Speed Signal
M1 southbound between J21 and J20
04:59 (4:59am)15 Oct 2026set 7 min ago✓ Checked by us 05:07 (5:07am)
Speed Signal
M1 J20 southbound access
04:59 (4:59am)15 Oct 2026set 7 min ago✓ Checked by us 05:07 (5:07am)
Speed Signal
M1 southbound within J20
04:59 (4:59am)15 Oct 2026set 7 min ago✓ Checked by us 05:07 (5:07am)
Speed Signal
Source: National Highways’ Speed Managed Areas data, as at 05:07 (5:07am) Thu 15 Oct 2026. Speeds converted from km/h to mph. Powered by National Highways’ Transport Data Feeds.
About the M1 overhead signs
The messages on this page come from National Highways’ own feed of the electronic signs above and beside the M1. We show them exactly as National Highways set them. A sign can be switched to a new message at any moment, so always follow the signs you can see on the road. For accidents, closures and roadworks see our Latest M1 Traffic News page.