Press release

Planned roadworks in the East of England: weekly summary for Monday 14 – Sunday 21 November 2016

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. All our improvement work is carried out with the aim of causing as little disruption as possible.

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New Work

M40 Banbury: signs upgrade

We are updating visual messaging signs on the M40 between junctions 10 (A43 Ardley) and 11A (Banbury). The hard shoulder, left hand and central lane will be closed while are we working, between 8pm and 5am from Wednesday 16 November.

A5 Hockliffe: traffic light repairs

We are carrying out traffic technology repairs at the junction of the A5 and A4012 at Hockliffe from 8pm on Thursday 17 to 6am on Friday 18 November. We will have temporary traffic lights in place to control traffic when the permanent traffic lights are turned off while we repair the technology at this location.

A12 Lowestoft: Bascule Bridge maintenance

We will be carrying out routine maintenance works on the A12 Bascule Bridge at Lowestoft. This will be between Monday 14 and Thursday 17 November, from 8pm to 6am.

During the work the A12 will be closed in both directions at the bridge and a diversion will be clearly signposted. Northbound traffic will travel north from the Bloodmore Lane roundabout on the A1117 (Bloodmoor Road, Elmtree Road, Cotmer Road), right at the T-junction between A1117 Cotmer Road and A146 Bridge Road onto the A146, left onto the A1117 (Bridge Road) and over the Oulton Broad Bridge, carry on the A1117 (Normanston Drive), turning left at the roundabout with the A1144 (Normanston Drive and Millenium Way) and right along A1117 Bentley Drive, to re-join A12 northbound (Yarmouth Road) by turning left at Tesco roundabout toward Great Yarmouth. Southbound traffic will follow the same route in reverse.

A free hourly bus service will be provided for pedestrians wanting to cross the bridge. This will leave from the north side of the bridge at quarter past the hour and from the south side at quarter to the hour.

A14 Bury St Edmunds: Junction improvements

Improvement works are being carried out on the A14 Junction 45 Rookery Crossroads/Rougham. Works include construction of new eastbound slip roads, which are being funded by Suffolk County Council as part of the Bury St Edmunds Eastern Relief Road scheme. There is a 24 hour 40mph speed limit in place through the works for safety reasons, works are currently taking place overnight using lane closures in both directions. The works are due to take 5 months to complete.

Ongoing Work

Various roads: routine inspections for street lighting

We are carrying out a programme of routine inspections of electrical and structural equipment across the region, which is planned for completion in spring 2017. This week, we will be inspecting equipment on:

  • the A5 with no impact on road users
  • the A47 and A11 which will consist of lane closures but no full closures

Various roads: barrier repairs

We will continue repairs to barriers throughout the week, using lane closures to keep road users at a safe distance from the work. The work will take place at various locations, working between 8pm and 5am. This week we are repairing barriers on the M11 in both directions from Monday 14 November to Friday 18 November overnight, using lane closures while we are working between junctions 6 (M25) and 9 (A11). We are also repairing barriers on the A120 in both directions, between junction 8 with the M11 and Braintree (Marks Farm).

Various roads: litter picking and sweeping

We will continue litter picking throughout the week on the A1(M), the M1 and the M11. These will be done using a mobile slow-moving hard shoulder or lane closure. We will also be sweeping the hard shoulder of the M11 during the day while we litter pick between junctions 6 (M25) and 9 (A11).

M1 Hemel Hempstead: technology repairs

We are working to repair and replace faulty power cables for signage technology on the motorway, including overhead sign lighting, on the M1 between junctions 8 (Hemel Hempstead) and 9 (A5 – Markyate). We are working on weekdays and, if required, some Saturdays. The hard shoulder will be closed while we are working during the day, with lanes closure in place overnight.

As part of these scheme works it will be necessary for some of the exit and entry slip roads of junctions 8 and 9 be closed overnight on specific dates, though not simultaneously. Where slip roads are closed, drivers will be diverted to continue on the M1 to the next junction, exit and return to leave the junction from the opposite direction.

M11: tree planting

There will be hard shoulder closures on the M11 in various locations between junctions 6 (M25) and 9 (A11) for tree planting. This will be done between 9am and 4pm from Monday 14 to Friday 18 November.

M11 and A120: structures maintenance

We are carrying out routine maintenance work on bridges crossing the M11 between junctions 6 (M25) and 9 (A11) in both directions. We will also be doing similar work on the A120, between junction 8 with the M11 and Braintree (Marks Farm). These will be done during the day, with the hard shoulder closed while we are working.

M11 and A120 Stansted Airport: pothole filling

We will be filling in potholes on the M11 between junctions 8 (Stansted Airport – Bishop’s Stortford) and 9 (A11) in both directions, and on the A120 between Braintree and junction 8 of the M11. This will be done using lane and hard shoulder closures while we are working, between 8.30pm and 6am, from Monday 14 to Friday 18 November.

M11: routine maintenance

We will be doing routine maintenance of structures and technology boxes along the M11 during the day. These will be done with a hard shoulder closure, taking place between junctions 6 (M25) and 9 (A11).

M40: major maintenance

We will be carrying out major maintenance work on the M40, which includes low noise resurfacing and safety barrier repairs between Adwell (near junction 6) and the A40 Oxford spur (junction 8). For further details, please visit: http://www.highways.gov.uk/m40-junction-6-to-8.

This week there will be three lanes open to drivers during the day with this reduced to one overnight on the M40 southbound while we are working.

A 50mph speed limit will be in place throughout the works, 24/7

M40: routine maintenance

We are undertaking routine maintenance on the M40. Works include sweeping, drainage cleaning, litter picking, vegetation cutting, white lining, street lighting maintenance, defect repair (including street lighting defects), inspection of the assets including structures and safety fence repair. We will be working between 10pm and 6am. Unless stated otherwise, these closures will see traffic diverted to continue to the next junction, to exit and return.

This week we are:

Working on the M40 in both directions beneath junction 4(High Wycombe), with traffic diverted to exit at the junction and then re-join on the far side of the works. This will be on Wednesday 16 November.

A5 Milton Keynes: barrier repairs

We are replacing safety barriers that protect bridge supports along the northbound and southbound verges of the A5 by Milton Keynes. The work will be undertaken on weekdays between 8pm and 6am to minimise disruption and should be completed early December.

The work will be completed under lane closure, however some full closures are required to install temporary barrier and road markings. A clearly signed diversion route will be in place when the road is closed.

The speed limit will be reduced to 50mph past the works and this will remain in place during the day. Also, while both lanes of the A5 will be open during the day, they will have to be narrowed.

This week we are working on the A5 southbound between the A509 Portway Interchange (H5) and A4146 Kelly’s Kitchen Roundabout. The left hand lane is closed while we are working and a 50mph speed limit is in place.

We are also working on the A5 northbound between the A421 Redmoor Roundabout (H9) and the A422 Abbey Hill Roundabout (H3).

We are building a new 2.9-mile, two-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:

Work on the new M1 junction and bridges is progressing well. The traffic management, including hard shoulder closures, 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.

This week, there will be M1 road closures between junctions 11 and 12 from 10pm to 6am for overhead gantry works as follows:

  • Tuesday 15 November, M1 southbound closed J12 to J11, and a lane closure on M1 northbound.
  • Wednesday 16 November, M1 northbound closed J11 to J12, and a lane closure southbound.

During the full carriageway closures drivers will be diverted as follows:

  • M1 southbound junctions 12 to 11: exit at J12 and turn right onto the A5120 through Toddington. Turn right onto Thorn Rd and continue to the roundabout with Thorn Rd & A5. Take the 1st exit onto A5 towards Dunstable. At the roundabout with A5 & A505 take the first exit and continue on the A5 to the junction with A5 & A5120 Houghton Rd, left onto A5120 Houghton Rd to Houghton Regis High Street and continue to the roundabout with the Green & Park Rd north, taking the third exit onto Park Rd north to the roundabout with Poynters Rd. Then take the third exit onto Poynters Road and follow to the roundabout with Poynters Rd & A505 Dunstable Rd. Take the first exit onto A505 and continue along the A505 to junction 11 of the M1 to re-join the southbound M1.
  • M1 northbound Junction 11 to 12: exit at junction 11, turn left onto A505 Dunstable Rd. At the roundabout at A505 & Poynters Road take the third exit onto Poynters and continue to the roundabout with Poynters Rd and Park Road North, take the second exit and continue on Park Rd North to the next roundabout then take the first exit onto The Green. Continue along to the High St (A5120) to Houghton Road (A5120). At the junction with Houghton Rd (A5120) & A5 Watling St turn right onto the A5. Continue on the A5 to the roundabout with the A5 & A505, take the second exit and continue on the A5 to the roundabout with A5 & Thorn Rd, take the third exit onto Thorn Rd and continue on Thorn Rd to the junction with Thorn Rd & Bedford Rd (A5120), turn left onto Bedford Rd (A5120) and follow the A5120 via Toddington to junction 12 f the M1 to re-join.

There will also be northbound M1 junction 13 exit slip road closures from 10pm to 6am for overhead gantry works on Monday 14, Thursday 17 & Friday 18 November.

And there will be overnight lane closures on the M1 between junctions 10 and 13 for ongoing gantry, verge and central reserve works on Monday 14 , Thursday 17 & Friday 18 November 2016

Work on the A5 and local roads:

From Monday 1 August a new road layout is in place between the A505 and Dunstable Road for the A5 and Thorn Road. These changes will include the new roundabout on the A5 being introduced allowing road users to use the roundabout and access Thorn Road from the A5 northbound, and from Thorn Road access to the A5 northbound, A5 north towards Milton Keynes and A5 south towards Dunstable and A505.

From Monday 14 November to Sunday 20 November there will be traffic lights overnight on the A5-A505 between 8pm and 6am for safety barrier installation work. There will be off-peak temporary traffic lights on local roads and A505 between 9.30am and 3.30pm for verge and safety barrier work.

Cycle improvements schemes in Suffolk, Essex, Norfolk and Bedfordshire

Work is substantially completed on the building or improving of cycle paths at 16 locations across the East of England including on the A12, A120, A47 and A5.

The work included the installation of new and upgraded shared-use foot/cycle ways and toucan crossing facilities. The new or improved paths will make it safer and easier to cycle on or around major A-roads and will improve connections with the local and national cycle network. The project is part of a country-wide initiative which will see Highways England deliver 200 projects over the next five years after the government set up a £100 million dedicated fund for cycling in its Road Investment Strategy.

Ongoing work for this week:

A12 Lowestoft – Station Road/Gunton St/Peters Avenue

There will be off-peak two and three-way traffic lights for UKPN work to connect street lighting.

A14 Cambridge to Huntingdon, Cambridgeshire: major improvements

Early preparatory construction work on the A14 Cambridge to Huntingdon scheme has been underway for a number of months.

Between now and the end of 2016 we are carrying out a variety of tasks which will require us to close lanes / carriageway on the A1, A14 and some of the side roads. The work we will be doing will include:

  • Creating strengthened crossing points for site vehicles on a number of the side roads. These are called plant crossings.
  • Installing access points to our construction compounds.
  • Taking core samples of the existing trunk roads to enable appropriate design and construction
  • Clearing the site of vegetation which is adjacent to the live carriageway.

Wherever possible, work will take place at night (usually between 8pm and 6am) to minimise disruption to traffic.

Lane or carriageway closures are currently planned for the following weeks:

  • Monday 14 November - Thursday 17 November: Full overnight closure of the southbound A1 between Alconbury and Brampton Hut as well as of the A1 southbound exit slip road at Brampton Hut and A1 entry slip road at Alconbury. Work is scheduled each day between 9pm and 6am and is to allow for the clearing of vegetation near the carriageway.
  • Saturday 19th November-Monday 21st November: the B1043 Offord Road between Offord Cluny and Godmanchester and Connington Road between Connington and Fenstanton will be closed from Saturday 19 November at 8am until Monday 21 November at 5am for the installation of plant crossing points.

A14 Cambridgeshire: drainage repairs

We are undertaking investigations and repairs to the drainage system of the A14 between junctions 32 (Girton – M11 interchange) and 35 (Stoke cum Quy). We will be working off the road during the day clearing vegetation and re-profiling drainage ditches. There will be lane closures and slip road closures between 8pm and 6am while we are working overnight, with all works on weekdays only. This week we are working on the A14 in both directions with the inside lane closed between junctions 32 and 33.

A47 Dereham: road repairs

We are repairing the A47 at Bushy Common, Dereham, Hockering and Easton. We will be working overnight between Monday 7 November and Friday 18 November, working between 8pm and 6am on weeknights only. We will close the A47 at each location while we are working. This week, we will be at Dereham and Hockering until Thursday 17 November.

There will be a clearly signed diversion route in place during the closures, whereby drivers heading eastbound will be directed to exit the A47 at Swaffham, taking the A1065 north to Fakenham, the A148, the A1067 south east to Norwich, the A140 Norwich Ring Road, and finally the A1074 Dereham Road to re-join the A47 at Longwater.

Drivers heading westbound will directed to exit the A47 at Norwich, taking the A11 south west from Thickthorn roundabout to Thetford, the A134 north to Mundford, and finally the A1065 north to Swaffham to re-join the A47. Local traffic will be permitted along the A47 up to the point of the closure, and those needing access to properties through the closure will be able to approach the gateman for further instruction.

A47 Dogsthorpe: junction improvements (Peterborough City Council)

Peterborough City Council is continuing its junction improvement work at the A47/A15 Dogsthorpe junction, Peterborough. The work will involve some overnight full closure and 24/7 lane closures on the A47. For more information, visit https://www.peterborough.gov.uk/news/residents/work-set-to-begin-to-reduce-congestion-at-busy-parkway-junction/

A138 Chelmer Village, Chelmsford, Essex: Chelmer viaduct replacement

The new viaduct structure opened to traffic on Monday 18 April 2016.Works are now on-going under the structure to facilitate installation of grass cell and prepare permanent maintenance roads. Demolition works are now substantially completed. Fencing and landscaping works are presently ongoing along with the removal of temporary haul roads.

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.

Published 14 November 2016