Barnet (Parliament Politics Magazine) – Motorists in Barnet should prepare for seven road closures on the National Highways network this week. Plan ahead to avoid delays and disruption.
The good news is that all scheduled closures are expected to cause only minor delays of less than 10 minutes.
The affected areas include parts of the M1 and A1; lane cutbacks or diversions may result from the work, which is scheduled for the weekend or overnight. Before leaving, drivers are advised to check real-time information, anticipate potential delays, and adhere to designated detour routes.
In addition to connecting new road segments at strategic intersections and performing routine maintenance to enhance road safety and manage traffic flow, these closures are a component of National Highways’ strategic upgrades. For the most recent closure information, drivers should consult National Highways’ travel alerts or Barnet Council’s roadworks updates.
The borough council and National Highways are still collaborating to find a balance between the need for necessary repairs and reducing disruption to road users. The thorough comparative records and reports produced by Barnet Council show a focus on improving road conditions while limiting the overall impact of closures on residents and commuters.
Seven closures are scheduled to start within the next two weeks, per the most recent schedule published by National Highways:
- Lane closures for CCTV work will occur on M1 northbound, junctions 2 and 3, from 10 p.m. on August 18 to 5:30 a.m. on August 20. Delays are anticipated to be under ten minutes.
- A1 southbound: From 10 p.m. on August 18 to 6 a.m. on September 13, lanes will be closed for culvert work close to the intersection of Bignells Corner and Rowley Lane. Delays are anticipated to be under ten minutes.
- Lane closures for CCTV work will occur on M1 northbound, junctions 2 and 3, from 10 p.m. on August 20 to 5:30 a.m. on August 22. Delays are anticipated to be under ten minutes.
- M1 southbound, intersections 2 and 1: From 11 p.m. on August 29 to 6 a.m. on August 30, the lanes will be closed for technological work. Delays are anticipated to be under ten minutes.
- M1 northbound, junctions 1–2: From 9:30 p.m. on September 1 to 6 a.m. on September 27, lanes will be closed to replace the boundary fence. Delays are anticipated to be under ten minutes.
Major A-roads and motorways are under the jurisdiction of National Highways. Smaller local road closures are not covered by this schedule because they fall outside of its purview.
How do Barnet’s current closures compare with previous months in terms of severity?
More extensive and protracted closures, including urgent repairs and major infrastructure projects that impacted important local and regional roads, were observed in prior months. Longer detour routes and more traffic congestion were frequently the results of these earlier closures.
Although the closures this week are generally less disruptive than the longer and more extensive roadworks seen in the early months of 2025, drivers should still prepare for some delays.
Overall, the closures this week are less disruptive than the more extensive and protracted roadworks observed in early portions of 2025, however drivers should still anticipate some delays and make plans appropriately.