Work finished on Ashby Road and M1 J23

The road is now a dual carriageway.

The multi-million pound project improved the M1 at juction 23 as well as remodelling five junctions along Ashby Road (A512). It has also upgraded it from a single to a dual carriage way.

With thousands of new homes planned for the Loughborough and Shepshed areas, there had been concerns that traffic congestion could lead to tailbacks blocking a section of the M1.

The County Council hopes the improvements have provided the infrastructure to support future developments, as well as ensuring smoother and more efficient journeys for motorists, pedestrians, cyclists and people with disabilities.

Councillor Ozzy O’Shea, county council cabinet member for highways and transport, said: “I am delighted to see this major project completed with the minimum of disruption to motorists and would thank all for their patience and understanding while the work was underway.

“These improvements will make a huge difference to the travelling public, not only on our local roads, but also by improving access to the strategic network at M1 J23, which is a vitally important route for both local and national economies.

“The environment and sustainability have been at the heart of our work on this project. We are pleased to have been able to provide better routes for pedestrians, cyclists and those people with disabilities and doing so while fostering really positive community engagement and delivering on carbon reduction.”

Throughout work on the scheme, there was also much engagement with the local community. Workers took part in various projects, including creating a herb garden for a local special school, fundraising for Rainbows Hospice and collecting toys for both the hospice and Shepshed toy library.

They also provided a defibrillator for Shepshed and donated Christmas gifts to Springwater charity. Engineering students from Loughborough University took part in seminars and a site visit and several virtual placement weeks were held for students at Loughborough College and Iveshead School.