A1(M)/South Mimms - Baldock

South|North

Route

The A1(M) starts off underneath Junction 23 of the M25 as a continuation of the A1. Both the A1 and A1(M) at this point are D2/D2M. Heading roughly northwards, the road weaves for four miles to Hatfield, Junction 2. Approximately one mile further north, it becomes, at Junction 3 (the A414 west), a D3M and tunnels underneath 'The Galleria', a shopping mall. The tunnel is approximately 1,237 yards long and has recently (2011) been upgraded to include disabled egress in case of emergencies. Roughly ¾ mile from the tunnels north end, Junction 4 is encountered, the junction with the A414 eastbound. The road now passes between the village of Stanborough on the west side and Welwyn Garden City on the east side, and as it does so, it starts to climb up a relatively steep hill. Cresting the hill, it drops down to pass on the eastern side of Welwyn village and Junction 6. This junction is a spread out affair. Northbound, from the slip road exit to the slip road entry is a touch over a mile! Halfway between the exit/entry slip roads, the A1(M) now becomes a D2M, the cause of queues and delays in the evening peak period. Underneath the motorway at this point are the remains of a Roman bath, and to preserve it, a dome had to be built over the baths with the motorway passing over the top. The road now climbs again quite steeply, before descending down to pass on the west side of Knebworth village. Knebworth House is on the western side (your left heading North). Junction 7 is now encountered at the southern edge of Stevenage and the A1(M) now swings round northwestwards, then northeastwards, to skirt the town, and at the northern end of the town is Junction 8. The main road here (other than the A1(M) itself, of course) is the A602 heading westwards to Hitchin and Luton, and in the opposite direction, heading back into Stevenage. There are also a couple of minor roads leading to small villages either side of the A1(M). Just after Junction 8, the A1(M) yet again becomes a D3M for a little over 2 miles until it reaches Junction 9, the A505 east and west. It now gently weaves its way between Letchworth (on the west side) and Baldock (on the east side). 1.6 miles after passing underneath the Cambridge to London Kings Cross railway line, Junction 10 is encountered and the motorway now ends, continuing northwards as a D2.

History

Main Article: A1 Early Improvements

A series of bypasses where constructed through the 1950s and 1960s around the new suburban commuter areas of Middlesex and several market towns in the Midlands. These schemes massively reduced travel times on the Great North Road and provided vital relief for traffic-choked towns.

1962: Stevenage Bypass

Junctions 6 to 8 - the 7.5 mile initial section was opened on 26 July 1962 by Ernest Marples, Minister of Transport. Cost £2million.

1967: Baldock Bypass

Junctions 8 to 9 Letchworth Gate opened on 15 June 1967.

Junctions 9 to 10 Stotfold opened on 23 August 1967. This joined the A1 dual carriageway section northwards

Improvements

1979: Hatfield-South Mimms

More details required.

1986: Hatfield Bypass

More details required.

Notable Locations

Hatfield

Hatfield is the birthplace of the de-Haviland Comet aircraft. Now home to the University of Hertfordshire. Hatfield House, a large house and gardens often hosting concerts and the like.

Main Article: Hatfield

Hatfield also has a shopping mall above the A1(M), the Galleria.

Main Article: Hatfield Tunnel

Stevenage

Stevenage is 50s/60s new town. Plenty of green spaces and a boating lake. The first Inter-City station out of Kings Cross on the ECML.

Main Article: Stevenage

Future

The A1 is set to receive managed motorways between The Clock and Langley Sidings to increase the capacity of the road to three lanes in each direction.

In August 2016 a strategic report on the route was published.

Links

Roads UK

• Highways and Byways Route Guide

gov.uk

• A1 east of England strategic study: interim report (18 August 2016)