Planned roadworks in the East of England: weekly summary for Monday 11 to Sunday 17 January 2016
Summary of work being carried out this coming week.
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
Nil
Ongoing work
M1, A421, A5, Bedfordshire: improvements
A package of works to repair or resurface carriageways, replace and install new signs, replace road markings, upgrade lighting cables and install new LED lighting heads on the M1, A421 and A5 in Bedfordshire started last month and is planned for completion in January 2016. The work is part of Highways England’s commitment to improve safety and ensure better journey experiences across the East region’s busiest roads.
Work to resurface the carriageway on the A5 between Half Moon and Beech Road will take place overnight on Friday 8 and Saturday 9 January from 8pm until 6am.
During this work the A5 will be closed in both directions and traffic will be diverted via the A4146 and A505 roundabout. Local residents who require access will be escorted past the roadworks.
You can stay informed of latest closures and works on the website.
M11, A14, Cambridgeshire: improvements
A package of work to carry out resurfacing, safety barrier renewal, bridge repairs, embankment repairs, replacing and installing new signs, repairing damaged kerbs and replacing road markings on the A14 and M11 in Cambridgeshire, has started and will continue until the end of June. The work is part of Highways England’s commitment to improve safety and ensure better journey experiences across the East region’s busiest roads. You can stay informed of latest closures and works on our website.
We are repairing the embankment and the bridge on the A1307 Huntingdon Road. A lane closure is in place in both directions as well as a 40mph speed limit, to remain in place 24 hours a day with the other lane remaining open. We are resurfacing the A14 between junction 26 (Hemingford) and 29 (Bar Hill) eastbound, with the road closed eastbound between 8pm and 6am on Monday 11 January. Traffic will leave at junction 26 and return via the A14 westbound to junction 23, then southbound on A1 to the A428. All traffic for the A14 eastbound between junctions 26 and 29 will continue eastbound on the A428/A14 to junction 32 (Histon) and return westbound on the A14 to junction 30 (Dry Drayton). A14 traffic for the M11 south will follow the same diversion and exit the A14 west at junction 31 (Girton).
We are resurfacing the A14 eastbound between junctions 32 (Histon) and 33 (Milton). We will be working between 8pm and 6am, with work starting on Tuesday 12 January and finishing on Friday 15 January. The A14 will be closed between junction 32 and 33 while we are working. There will be a clearly signed diversion in place, whereby drivers heading for the M11 will exit at junction 32, turn around to head west to Girton, exit the A14 for M11 south, take the motorway to junction 10, exit and head east on the A505 to join the A11 north to the A14 at junction 36. Local traffic will be diverted off at junction 32 and south on the B1049, turning left on to King’s Hedges Road, heading east on the A1309 Milton Road, north on Milton Road to the A14 junction 33 for A10 north.
We are renewing and restoring the safety barrier in the centre of the road between junctions 31 (M11 interchange) and 34 (Horningsea). We will be working between 8pm and 6am, with work starting on Monday 11 January and expected to take eight weeks. While we are working there will be lane closures in both directions between the junctions. On Wednesday 13 January one lane will be closed westbound between junctions 33 and 32 between 8pm and 6am.
M11 Stansted Airport to M25: carriageway repairs
We are repairing and improving the M11 between junctions 8 (Stansted Airport) and 6 (M25). Work should be completed by the end of February. There will be lane closures and speed restrictions throughout the works and a number of road closures between junctions 8 and 7, with all work taking place between 10pm and 6am.
This week we are working on the M11 southbound between junctions 8 and 7 (Harlow). Works will be completed under lane closure with speed restrictions in place, there will be no road closures for this work until next week.
A1(M) Huntingdon to Peterborough: overhead signs replacement
We are replacing the overhead message signs on the A1(M) between Huntingdon and Peterborough with new models. The first phase of work will involve closing the hard shoulder only. The second phase, which will start on 25 January, will require overnight lane and slip roads closures, which will be clearly signposted in advance. During the slip road closures, there will be a clearly signed diversion diverting traffic via the next A1(M) junction.
There will be a third phase of work between end February and March to switch the signs on, which will also require lane and slip road closures. The work is planned for completion in spring 2016.
A5-M1 link (Dunstable northern bypass), Bedfordshire: major improvements
We are building a new 2.9 mile, 2 lane dual carriageway running from north of Dunstable and joining the M1 at a new junction 11a, south of Chalton. Main construction started in March 2015.
Work on the M1
We have started work on the new M1 junction. The traffic management, including safety barriers, signs, CCTV and average speed cameras, will stay in place throughout the junction construction work, which will be carried out in phases and should be finished in spring 2017 as the scheme nears completion. There will also be overnight lane closures when required, which will be clearly signed.
Work on the A5:
On the A5, travelling from the A505, roundabout traffic has been realigned and now runs on the east side of the carriageway on one lane in each direction to allow for embankment work. Overnight three way traffic lights will be on A5/A505 between 8pm and 6pm.
To note that until mid-January the A5 will be closed in both directions between 8pm and 6am between Houghton Regis (Thorn Road) and Hockliffe Road for repair work. This work is not part of the A5-M1 link scheme.
Work on the major improvement is due to complete in spring 2017. For more information, visit the scheme webpage.
A12 junctions 13 to 15, Margaretting: surveys
We will be carrying out pavement investigations until 15 January 2016. During the investigations, overnight lane closures will be place.
A12 Essex: improvements
We are working to improve the A12 in Essex and Suffolk, making the road safer and improving the road surface. We are also putting in place new signs to make the road easier to navigate. Work at various locations along the route will be ongoing until spring 2016. The work is part of Highways England’s commitment to improve safety and ensure better journey experiences across the East region’s busiest roads. Works take place overnight between 8pm and 6am and not at weekends so as to minimise disruption for drivers.
You can stay informed of latest closures and works on our website.
We are installing new signs and road markings on the A12 southbound between junctions 30 (Stratford St Mary) and 29 (Colchester – A120). The road will be closed southbound between junctions 31 (Holton St Mary) and 29 from Wednesday 13 to Friday 15 January between 8pm and 6am. Drivers will be diverted to join the A14 eastbound at junction 55 (Copdock) and exit at junction 56 (Wherstead), then join the A137 and take the A1232 to re-join the A12 at junction 29.
We are upgrading and replacing the safety barrier and putting up new signs between Langham and Stratford St Mary, with work expected to be completed by the end of the month. There are lane closures and a reduced speed limit in place for the works.
We are improving drainage and an embankment at Chelmsford, with work expected to be completed in 2 months. There will be lane closures while we are working.
We are putting up new signs and road markings and clearing vegetation at junction 30 (Stratford St Mary northbound), working from Friday 15 January to Tuesday 19 January. There will be lane closures past the junction, and the northbound slip roads will be closed at junction 30. There will be a clearly signed diversion route, with traffic for the exit slip road continuing to junction 31 then returning southbound to junction 30. For the entry slip road, drivers will join the A12 southbound, turnaround at junction 29 and return northbound to junction 30.
A14 Ipswich, Suffolk: Orwell Bridge safety improvements
Work to introduce a new speed limit, improve road markings and install new traffic signs as part of a package of measures to improve safety on the A14 Orwell Bridge in Suffolk is underway and is expected to complete by spring 2016. This work will also see the installation of average speed cameras enforcing a new speed limit of 60mph.
Most of the work will be carried out between 8pm and 6am involving lane closures and some road closures between junctions 56 to 57 with some minor work taking place on the verges during the day.
There are lanes closed on the A14 in both directions between junctions 55 and 58 between 10pm and 5am until mid-March (weekdays only). Laybys are closed eastbound on the same stretch of road.
A14 Cambridge to Huntingdon improvement scheme: topographical surveys
From 19 October to 19 January we are carrying out topographical, drainage and pavement surveys for the A14 Cambridge to Huntingdon improvement scheme.
These surveys allow us to map the layout and level of the existing road, drainage network and adjacent land, as well as understand the ground we will be building on, so that we can fully understand the landscape we will be working in and finalise the design of the new road.
Surveys are taking place along the whole of the scheme route, this includes the land where the new Huntingdon southern bypass would be built and the existing A1 and A14 that form part of the scheme. Surveys of the existing route will require lane closures in both directions and will take place at night only (between 8pm and 6am) to minimise any disruption to traffic. No heavy machinery or plant equipment will be used.
Lane closures are currently scheduled overnight on:
- Monday 11 to Friday 15 January 2016: A14 westbound, junction 30 (Dry Drayton ) to junction 27 (Fenstanton) (ground penetrating radar, pavement survey & street lighting survey)
- Monday 11 January: A14 westbound, junction 32 (Girton)/A428 (pavement survey)
- Monday 11 to Wednesday 13 January: A1 southbound, Alconbury to Brampton Hut (drainage survey)
- Tuesday 12 January: A14 eastbound, junction 31 (Girton) to junction 33 (Milton) (topographical survey)
- Wednesday 13 January: A14 westbound, junction 34 (Fen Ditton) to junction 31 (Girton) (pavement survey)
- Thursday 14 January: M11 junction 13 (Madingley) to A14 junction 31 (Girton) (pavement survey)
- Friday 15 January: A14 junction 28 (Cambridge Services) (pavement survey)
A138 Chelmer Village, Chelmsford, Essex: Chelmer viaduct replacement
Work to rebuild the viaduct at Chelmer on the A138 started on 17 March 2015. The major improvement work on the Chelmer Viaduct in Chelmsford will take approximately 18 months to complete.
The reinforced deck construction is currently underway and earthworks are well advanced either side of the main viaduct structure.
All site work is carried out offline so daytime traffic is not affected by the ongoing works. For more information, visit the scheme webpage.
Highways England 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 England customer contact centre on 0300 123 5000.
Media enquiries
Journalists should contact the Highways England press office on 0844 693 1448 and use the menu to speak to the most appropriate press officer.