New motorway junction to cut congestion and boost the local economy

A new £30m junction on the M1 near Luton is to cut congestion and boost Bedfordshire's economy.

The new and improved Junction 10a on the M1 was officially opened by the Transport minister. It's the main route off the motorway to Luton Airport.

It's thought the project could lead to £800 million worth of future developments now better transport links will be in place.

On average, up to 35,000 use the stretch of the M1 every single day.

Getting on and off the M1 can often take some time. Queues are common at major hotspots - like Junction 10 for Luton and its airport.

But over the last year and a half this junction's been transformed. The roundabout has been replaced by an overpass and underpass.

It's not just about traffic and tarmac; this project will bring £800 million of development to Luton and 15,000 jobs over the next 15 years.

It'll mean Luton airport can grow from 10 to 18 million passengers over the next five years.

Click below to watch a report from ITV News Anglia's Sarah Cooper