THE journeys of thousands of drivers will become safer thanks to improvements on an 8.5 mile stretch of the M1 motorway between Wakefield and Barnsley.

The £4m work is part of Highways England’s £80m maintenance improvements on Yorkshire’s roads this year, making journeys safer and smoother.

The work is taking place between Denby Dale at junction 39 and Barnsley at junction 37 and includes resurfacing, drainage repairs, work to the embankment and barrier work.

It started on Monday and is likely to affect overnight access to Woolley Edge Services from the M1.

Martin Barnes, Highways England project manager, said: “We are carrying out a series of improvements along the M1 between Wakefield and Barnsley over the next few months which will provide better journeys for drivers and improve road safety.

“The work will be carried out overnight when traffic levels are at their lowest and no work will be taking place over the Christmas period.”

The work will be carried out between 9pm and 6am, and is expected to be completed by February.

Drivers will still be able to get to Woolley Edge Services but will be diverted via the A636, A637 and West Bretton. Clearly signed diversions will be in place.

There will be a short section of narrow lanes at junction 38 for Huddersfield. These will be in place 24 hours a day.