Construction works are set to get underway regarding significant congestion-busting improvements for stretches of both the M1 and M3 in the coming weeks.

The Department for Transport (DfT) has announced the smart motorways network is to be rolled out to the M1 junctions 28 to 31 in Derbyshire and junctions 32 to 35a in South Yorkshire, as well as the M3 at junctions 2 to 4a in Surrey.

Measures being introduced along these sections of important transport infrastructure will include the opening up of hard shoulders for all-lane running during periods of increased traffic flow, as well as the use of variable speed limits.

These changeable limits will help to smooth out potential build-ups of larger volumes of vehicles and the information will be provided to motorway users via a range of new overhead gantries that are to be installed as part of the forthcoming construction efforts at each of the sites.

It is hoped that this latest move to implement smart motorways along each of these stretches of road will provide up to one-third greater capacity, in turn providing a reduction in journey times for travellers of ten per cent for drivers on the M1 and up to 15 per cent for M3 users.

DfT had previously consulted on the implementation of a reduced speed limit of 60 mph for all travellers along these stretches of carriageway between the hours of 07:00 and 19:00. However, these plans have now been scrapped following feedback from motorists, local residents and businesses.

Transport secretary Patrick McLoughlin commented: "Let me be absolutely clear, I want all motorways to run at 70 mph. While it sometimes makes sense to use variable limits to keep people moving, blanket reductions are not acceptable.

"Smart motorways are an effective and cost-efficient way of increasing space on our roads, cutting jams and speeding up journey times and I am pleased to announce the start of work on these schemes."