Press release

Planned roadworks in the East of England: weekly summary for Monday 12 - Sunday 18 January 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.

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New work

A1(M) Junction 9 northbound, Letchworth: road marking renewal works

We are renewing the road markings on the A1(M) at junction 9 near Letchworth. We will be working between 8pm on Monday 12 January and 6am on Tuesday 13 January. Works will be carried out under lane closures and there should be minimal disruption to road users.

A1/A47 Wansford, Peterborough: Pinch Point junction improvement works

We are making improvements to the junction where the A1 meets the A47 at Wansford near Peterborough, Cambridgeshire, by installing traffic signals on the existing roundabout and widening local approach roads. These works are part of the Government’s £317m pinch point programme, which aims to boost local economies by reducing congestion and delays at key locations. We will start works on Monday 12 January and have scheduled them to finish by the end of February. We will work between 8pm and 6am from Monday to Sunday. To keep roads users safe while we complete the works we will need to close the A47 at the roundabout. Diversions will be as follows:

  • A47 eastbound closed between western roundabout and eastern roundabout – diversion A1 northbound to Carpenters Lodge Interchange, Stamford before returning southbound on A1 to Wansford
  • A47 westbound closed between eastern roundabout and western roundabout – diversion A1 southbound to Stibbington Interchange before returning northbound on A1 to Wansford
  • A1 southbound exit slip road closure – diversion A1 southbound to Stibbington Interchange before returning northbound on A1 to Wansford
  • A1 southbound entry slip road closure – diversion A1 northbound to Carpenters Lodge interchange Stamford before returning southbound on A1

Ongoing work

A1 northbound - Sandy to Black Cat Roundabout, Bedfordshire: Drainage clearance works

We are carrying out drainage clearance and repair works along the A1 northbound between Sandy and the Black Cat roundabout. We will start the works on Monday 5 January and we have scheduled them to finish by Saturday 24 January. Works will be carried out as follows:

A1 Northbound Kelpie Marina to Black Roundabout

  • lane 2 Northbound & Lane 2 Southbound back to back closure. Night time 20:00hrs to 06:00hrs Monday to Friday
  • lane 2 Northbound closure. Day time working Monday 08:00hrs to 16:00hrs, Tues to Thurs 08:00hrs to 15:00hrs
  • lane 2 Northbound & Lane 2 Southbound back to back closures. 24hr weekend working 20:00hrs to 06:00hrs Fri to Mon

A1 northbound Church Farm Tempsford

• Lane 1 northbound closure. Daytime working hours Monday 08:00hrs to 16:00hrs. Tues to Thurs 08:00hrs to 15:00hrs

A1, Black Cat roundabout, Bedfordshire and Cambridgeshire: Improvements

A scheme to ease congestion and improve journey time and safety (part of the Government’s £317m pinch point programme, which aims to boost local economies by reducing congestion and delays at key locations) started in June 2014 and subject to weather conditions, is scheduled to last for approximately 8 months. 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 occasional nighttime road and lane closures. Narrow lanes are currently in place 24 hours a day in both directions and on the roundabout itself.

There will be overnight single lane closures between 12 and 18 January on both north and southbound A1 and the A421. In addition there will be full nighttime southbound closures on the A1 starting on Tuesday 13th January through to Saturday 17 January.

From Tuesday 13 January to Sunday 18 January, from 9pm until 6am, the A1 southbound will be completely closed to carry out essential surfacing works for the new carriageway. The diversion will be via the Wyboston/A428 interchange and Barford Road rejoining the A1 at Tempsford. During the road closures only, traffic will only be able to travel along Barford Road southbound, and its weight restriction will be lifted temporarily.

Subject to weather conditions, the work is scheduled to last for approximately six months.

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 http://www.highways.gov.uk/roads/road-projects/A5-M1-Link-Dunstable-Northern-Bypass

A11 Fiveways to Thetford, Suffolk: Major upgrade

The A11 Fiveways to Thetford dualling and improvement scheme was fully opened to traffic on Friday 12 December 2014. Please note that there will be finishing works taking place over the coming weeks.

For further details of this scheme, visit the project pages.

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.

Between Monday 12th January 2015 and Friday16 January 2015 there will be both an Eastbound closure of the A14 between junctions 31-32 and also a Westbound closure between junctions 32-36. The closures will both be effective between 21:00hrs and 06:00hrs each evening and local diversions will be in place.

Closures and diversions via the M11, A11 and A505 will be well sign posted and details can be seen on the project pages.

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.

A47 Walsoken, Wisbech, Cambridgeshire: junction improvements

We are making improvements to the A47 Walsoken / Broadend Road junction by installing new warning signs and renewing road markings at the location. Work should be finished by 30 January. We will work between 8pm and 6am and will use temporary traffic signals to manage traffic.

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. Works are programmed for completion in January 2015.

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.

Published 12 January 2015