WORK started last night (Tuesday) to upgrade the safety barrier on the A1(M), which it is hoped will keep journeys on the route safe.

The improvement will see the steel barrier in the central reservation between junctions four and five, north of Hatfield, replaced with a new concrete barrier.

The work is due to be complete by early June 2012.

There will be overnight carriageway closures while traffic management for the scheme is installed.

Then while the work is carried out, on both carriageways, lane three will be closed 24 hours a day over a stretch of just over a mile between the junctions.

There will be a temporary speed restriction of 50mph.

Traffic will run on the hard shoulder and there will be three narrow lanes.

Paul Robinson, Highways Agency Asset Manager, said: “This work will improve safety on this section of the road. Concrete barriers are extremely strong, and significantly reduce the risk of vehicles crossing over onto the opposite carriageway in the event of a collision, providing safety benefits and helping us to keep traffic moving.

“They are also low maintenance and will last twice as long as normal metal barriers.”

“This work has been carefully planned to minimise disruption to road users and the local community.

“There will be three narrow lanes open at all times, but we do ask drivers to drive with extra care through the roadworks.”

The A1(M) between junctions 6 and 4 will be closed overnight tonight (Wednesday) between 10pm and 5am for the installation of the traffic management on the southbound carriageway.

The entry slip road at junction 6 will also be closed overnight.

A clearly signed diversion route will be in place via the A1001.

A free breakdown recovery service will be in operation for the duration of the work.