Planned roadworks in the East of England: weekly summary for Monday 1 - Sunday 7 December 2014
The following information summarises the work being carried out this coming week. It is correct as of the above date but could be subject to change due to weather conditions or unforeseen circumstances.
New Work
A11 Besthorpe to spooner row: Resurfacing
We will be resurfacing the carriageway on the A11 Besthorpe junction southbound exit slip road starting on 2 December for 1 night. This work will be immediately followed by carriageway resurfacing on the northbound A11 main carriageway on 3 and 4 December. The carriageways will be closed during the works between 8pm and 6am. A local diversion route will be in place.
A14 River Kennet & Snailwell Rd: Bridge maintenance and resurfacing
This scheme involves the bridge joint replacement at A14 River Kennett and the A14 Snailwell Road both requires bridge Joint replacement in both carriageways and resurfacing the carriageway near to the joints. The proposed phase of work starts on 6th to 7th December 2014 on west bound carriageway only. For both nights the A14 westbound will be close with slip off at A14 junction 39 follow bury road, turn right at A142 Fordham road and re-join at junction 37 to A14.
A14 Tostock & Woolpit Eastbound: Resurfacing and crack repairs
We will be resurfacing the carriageway on the A14 eastbound between J46 Tostock and J47 Woolpit to the east of Bury St Edmunds. We will also be undertaking crack repairs at the Woolpit interchange. Works are due to start on the 1st December 2014 and are due to be complete on the 5th December working overnight only between 8pm and 6am. To keep road users at a safe distance from the works we will need to close the A14 at J44 Moreton Hall through to J47 Woolpit. Eastbound traffic will be diverted to along the A134, A143 and A140 through to J51 Needham Market where they will re-join the A14 eastbound.
A14 J33-34 eastbound: drainage work
We will be carrying out drainage investigation works under lane closures between J33 Girton& J34 Milton, Cambridge and closing the E/B on slip at J33 between 00:00hrs and 05:00 on Monday 1 December. Works will continue on the eastbound carriageway until 5 December. All works will be carried out between 8pm and 6am.
A47 Westwood Interchange: Bridge maintenance and resurfacing
This scheme involves the installation of saw cut and sealant of bridge joints, local resurfacing of carriageway and remark the lane markings for Westwood Interchange East Bridge and West Bridge. A full closure at this location is proposed which starts from 01/12/14 for 5 nights. The diversion route for the westbound closure over the A47 Westwood junction will direct all traffic down the westbound off slip at Lincoln Road, straight across the two roundabouts and back up the westbound on slip at Westwood.
The diversion route for the eastbound closure over the A47 Westwood junction will direct all traffic down the eastbound off slip at Westwood Interchange, straight across the two roundabouts and back up the eastbound on slip at Lincoln Road.
Ongoing Work
A1 southbound, Biggleswade: Drainage clearance
We will be carrying out works to clear the drainage alongside the A1 southbound near Biggleswade to the junction with the A1(M). We will start works on Monday 17 November for approximately four weeks. We will carry out the works from 8pm and 6am, using lane closures.
A1, Black Cat roundabout, Bedfordshire and Cambridgeshire: Improvements
A scheme to ease congestion and improve journey time and safety (part of the Government’s £317million pinch point programme, which aims to boost local economies by reducing congestion and delays at key locations) has started. It involves a new road alignment to enlarge and widen the existing roundabout, new safety fencing, improved drainage, new surfacing on the roundabout and installation of lighting columns and traffic lights. The work will normally take place between 7.30am and 5.30pm from Monday to Friday, with the occasional night time lane closures. Narrow lanes are now in place in both directions.
There will also be various single lane closures between 1st and 6th December on both north and southbound A1 and A421. Subject to weather conditions, the work is scheduled to last for approximately six months.
A5-M1 Link (Dunstable Northern Bypass), Bedfordshire: Improvements
This scheme aims to provide a link to the M1 that is an alternative to the movement along the A5 and A505 from the A5/A505 junction to the M1 Junction 11. It would reduce journey times and improve journey reliability for strategic traffic currently travelling through Dunstable. It also aims to reduce the number of vehicle and safety related incidents and will support local development plans, economic growth and employment and maximise the return on public investment.
Advanced works started on site in May 2014. Continuation of these works will require some road closures, which will be publicised in advance. These works are important as they will help stay on target for the planned start of the main construction work in spring 2015.
The planned completion date for the project is early 2017. For more information visit the Highways Agency’s website.
A11 Fiveways to Thetford, Suffolk: Major upgrade
Work is taking place along the A11 between Fiveways roundabout (Barton Mills) and London Road (Thetford roundabout) to dual the last section of the road. The Elveden bypass between Chalk Hall Farm (south of Elveden) to London Rd roundabout at Thetford is now open to traffic and two-way traffic is also running on some new sections of carriageway.
During the works, there will be a temporary speed restriction of 40mph throughout the scheme as well as some overnight closures and temporary traffic management.
Two way temporary traffic signals are in use as follows:
- Two-way portable traffic signals will be in operation on the B1106, Monday to Friday between 7am and 6pm daily, when required.
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Overnight on the A11, when required. When in use, these will be in operation between 7pm and 6am.
- Work to re-configure the Elveden cross-roads (B1106 & old A11 junction) will continue this week.
- The C616 is closed at its junction with the A11. Access will be maintained via the A1065, Brandon Road.
The planned completion date is December 2014. For further details of this scheme visit the scheme website.
A14 Brampton to Ellington, Cambridgeshire: Ditch clearance
Work to clear the ditch of vegetation and silt on the A14 between Brampton Hut and Ellington village started on 20 October for approximately eight weeks. The work is carried out under lane closures at night time only (mainly on the westbound carriageway but there will be some eastbound work) between 8pm and 5am, when traffic flows are lower.
A14 Girton to Histon (junctions 31 to 32): Lane gain scheme
On 14 April 2014 work started to improve slip roads onto the M11 and A14 and to add an additional lane on the A14 in each direction between Girton and Histon. This is part of the Government’s Pinch point Programme. The work is scheduled to take place mainly during the day, with existing lanes narrowed and a 50mph speed limit imposed.
On Wednesday 3rd December the Eastbound slip road of the A14 at junction 31 will be closed between 21:00hrs and 06:00hrs. Access onto the A14 eastbound from the M11 at this junction will be maintained.
There will be also be periodic lane closures on other nights, however two lanes will be maintained in each direction during the day to support peak time traffic flows.
The closures and diversion will be well sign posted and details of the diversion can be seen on the Highways Agency website.
A47 Postwick, Norfolk: Postwick Hub junction upgrade
Norfolk County Council started work to upgrade the Postwick Hub junction over the A47 on 12 May 2014. For the duration of the work, there will be an eastbound lane 1 closure and a temporary 50mph speed limit on the A47. In addition, work will require some overnight closures on the A47 from time to time, which will be advertised in advance by the council. Work is due to be completed by winter 2015. For further details, contact Norfolk County Council on 0344 800 8020 or visit www.norfolk.gov.uk.
A120 Little Bentley, Essex: Pellens Corner Average Speed Cameras
Works commenced in October to provide a series of average speed cameras along a stretch of the A120 that has seen many incidents. Works are programmed for completion in January 2015. Week commencing 1st December works to be undertaken will include directional drilling to supply power supplies from one side of the A120 to the other and there will also be the start of construction of the footings for the camera lighting units and cameras. These works will be undertaken during the day under lane closures between 8am and 5pm.
A421 Bedford Southern Bypass eastbound: Resurfacing and drainage clearance works
We will be carrying out works to resurface the carriageway on the eastbound A421 Bedford Southern Bypass. We will be replacing worn out carriageway, road markings and road studs, as well as clearing drainage at this location. Works will start on Monday 17 November and we plan to finish them by Tuesday 23 December. We will be working between 8pm and 6am on weeknights only. To keep road users at a safe distance from the works we will need to close the A421 eastbound between A4280 Goldington Road and A6 Elstow. Eastbound traffic should leave the A421 at A4280, turn left at the traffic lights onto Newnham Avenue, then follow Newnham Avenue onto Longholme Way. At the roundabout, take the second exit onto Rope Walk, and at the next roundabout take the second exit onto A5140 Ampthill Road, and then follow this road to the junction with A421 / A6 at Elstow.
We will remove the traffic management during the daytime, and traffic will run on the A421 on a milled surface, with a temporary 40mph speed limit. Our intention is to better deliver a road surface that has fewer joints reducing maintenance works in the future. The operations should also reduce the duration of the works compared with using the traditional method. A1307 – A14 westbound, Cambridge: Resurfacing works
We will be resurfacing the carriageway on the A1307 westbound between Histon Road and A14 junction 31 near Cambridge. Works started on Sunday 23 November and we plan to finish them by Friday 5 December. We will be working between 20:00 and 06:00 on weeknights only. To keep road users at a safe distance from the works we will need to close the A1307 westbound overnight between B1049 Histon Road and A14 junction 31. We will also need to close one lane westbound during the daytime at the same location. Westbound traffic will be diverted along the B1049 Histon Road to A14 junction 32, and then westbound along the A14 to junction 31.
The Highways Agency is working with the industry and road users to reduce the risks of working on the roads. For the safety of road workers and all road users, when you are approaching roadworks:
- Keep within the speed limit – it is there for your safety.
- Get into the correct lane in good time – don’t keep switching.
- Concentrate on the road ahead, not the roadworks.
- Be alert for works’ traffic leaving or entering roadworks.
- Keep a safe distance – there could be queues in front.
- Observe all signs – they are there to help you.
General enquiries
Members of the public should contact the Highways Agency Information Line on 0300 123 5000.
Media enquiries
Journalists should contact the Highways Agency press office on 0844 693 1448 and use the menu to speak to the most appropriate press officer.