Drivers heading out on the M1 this May are being warned to plan ahead as part of the motorway will be closed for an entire weekend near East Midlands Airport.

A section of the M1 in Leicestershire will be closed on both the southbound and northbound sides between Junction 23A and Junction 24.

Major congestion is expected as a result. The main route will be closed to allow a road bridge, which will be part of the new Kegworth Bypass, to be put in place, reports the Derby Telegraph.

The scheme will see a new crossing installed south of existing Ashby Road bridge, as part of infrastructure work being carried out as park of the development of the Segro Logistics Park East Midlands Gateway - a massive new distribution hub that is being built close to East Midlands Airport.

To allow the work to take place, the southbound carriageway will close at 10pm on Friday, May 11.

There is heavy congestion near to East Midlands Airport
Part of the M1 is set to be closed for a weekend

The northbound carriageway will shut at midnight. Both carriageways will reopen at 3pm on Sunday, May 13.

A diversion, using the A453 Ashby Road, will be in place in both directions.

As well as the installation of the bridge, Highways England will be using the closure of the M1 as an opportunity to carry out essential bridge waterproofing south of J23A.

In a statement issued by Segro, it said: "As the M1 is one of the UK's busiest motorways, we expect significant congestion and delays along this diversion route and the motorway.

"Therefore we advise drivers avoid this area if possible and allow for extra time for their journey – in particular if travelling to East Midlands Airport."

Segro Logistics Park East Midlands Gateway, which is being delivered by Segro and Roxhill, is a 700 acre 'inland port', which combines links to the M1 and East Midlands Airport with a major new 50-acre rail freight terminal and extensive road improvements.

It will provide six million square feet of warehouse space and create thousands of new jobs.