Press release

Planned roadworks in the East of England: weekly summary for Monday 16 to Sunday 22 May 2016

Summary of the work being carried out this coming week.

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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.

New work

A1 and A47 Peterborough: road repairs

We are working to resurface the A1 and the A47 around Peterborough over the next fortnight. We will be working between 8pm and 6am, with work expected to be completed by Friday 27 May. The road will be closed while we are working, with a clearly signed diversion route in place.

This week we are repairing the A1 northbound between junction 17 and the Wansford Interchange on Tuesday 17 and Wednesday 18 May. Drivers will exit the A1(M) at junction 17, taking the A1139 east, the A1260 north to junction 15 of the A47, turning west and continuing to Wansford Interchange to rejoin the A1 northbound.

We are prepairing the A1 southbound between Stamford (A43) interchange and Wansford interchange on Thursday 19 May. Drivers will take the A43 west to Duddington and then the A47 eastbound to Wansford to re-join the A1 southbound.

We are prepairing the A1 junction 17 southbound exit slip road on Friday 20 May.

Non-motorway drivers will be advised to leave the A1 to take the A47 at Wansford, heading east to junction 15, then take the A1260 south to the A1139, then head east to the A1(M) and the A605. Motorway drivers will follow the A1(M) to junction 16 southbound, exit and return northbound to exit the A1(M) at junction 17.

A5 Milton Keynes: barrier replacement

We will soon be replacing the crash barrier in central reservation of the A5 as it passes through Milton Keynes. Currently there are just layby closures in place as we prepare for the main works.

Ongoing work

M11 and A120 Stansted Airport: road repairs

We are undertaking a number of schemes, which includes resurfacing parts of the M11 and A120, as part of a package of works. The package of works should be completed by July. We are also putting in new signs to make the road easier to navigate. We will be working between 8pm and 6am, with a number of road closures, lane closures and slip road closures. There will also be some daytime lane closures with speed limits in place. Where necessary, there will be a clearly signed diversion route in place.

This week we are repairing an embankment on the M11 at junction 6 (M25), working during the day to remove the embankment and then reconstruct it by replacing the material. This will make the embankment more secure and reduce the risk of flooding. We expect to complete this by July.

M11 and 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 July.

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.

This week 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 repairing the embankment between the A14 and the westbound exit slip road at junction 33 (Milton), with the A14 closed between the exit and entry slip roads. Drivers will be diverted to exit the A14 and return at the same junction on the far side of the closure.

We are working on the A428 eastbound from Madingley to Girton – the right hand lane is chicaned off before drivers are directed to drive in it with the left lane closed for works.

There is a 50mph speed limit and 2.9 metre (9ft 6in) width restriction.

We are working on the M11 northbound between junctions 10 (A505 Duxford) and 11 (Addenbrooke’s Hospital) on Monday 16 May to clear vegetation, with the left-hand lane closed while we are working.

M40: maintenance

We are carrying out maintenance work along the M40 from junction 1 (Uxbridge, London) to 15 (Warwick). This includes sweeping, drainage clearing, litter picking, repainting white lines, vegetation clearance, lighting maintenance and repair works. There will be overnight closures while we are working between 10pm and 6am.

This week we are working on the M40 southbound exit and entry slip roads at junction 4 (High Wycombe). We will be working from Monday 16 to Tuesday 17 May. There will be a clearly signed diversion route in place. Drivers looking to exit the M40 will continue southbound to junction 2 (Beaconsfield), exit and return northbound to junction 4. Drivers looking to join the M40 will take the motorway northbound to junction 5 (A40 Stokenchurch), exit and return southbound.

Cycle improvements schemes in Suffolk, Essex, Norfolk and Bedfordshire

We are building or improving cycle paths at 17 locations across the East of England including on the A12, A120, A47 and A5. The work includes 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 – High Street/Old Nelson

Work to the existing crossing at the Artillery Way/Old Nelson street/High Street temporary puffin crossing will continue until late May. We will need to return at a later date with UKPN to complete the signal work and resurface related sections. We are currently working with UKPN to programme this. The existing controlled pedestrian crossing will be removed and replaced with a realigned crossing along High Street, including the installation of new signage, surfacing and pavements to its approaches.

A12 Lowestoft Camden Street/High Street

Work to the existing eastern footpath on A12 Jubilee Way between St Margaret’s Street and Camden Street will take place this week will continue until late May.We will need to return at a later date with UK Power Network to complete the signal work and resurface sections. We are currently working with UK Power Network to programme this.

The work includes the installation of a new toucan crossing and localised widening of the existing eastern and western footways, as well as installation of new kerbs, street lighting and signage. Work will be carried out under lane closures between 9:30am and 3:30pm.

A12 Lowestoft – Gunton Church Lane/Hollingsworth

Works to the existing eastern and western footpaths on A12 Yarmouth Road between Gunton Church Lane and Hollingsworth Road will continue until May. We will have to return at a later date to finish electrical elements and minor resurfacing.

The work includes the installation of a new toucan crossing and localised widening of the existing eastern and western footways, operations include full depth construction, installation of new kerbs, street lighting, signage, surfacing and lining to its approaches. Works will be carried out under off peak lane closures between 9:30 am and 3:30 pm.

A12 Witham to Marks Tey

Works to the existing northern footpath on the A12 between Witham and Marks Tey and A1304 through Kelvedon will last until early June. The existing northern footpath is to be widened and operations include, full depth reconstruction and the installation of new kerbs, signage, fencing, resurfacing and lining. Works will be carried out under night lane closures between 8pm and 5am.

A12 Lowestoft – Bentley Drive/Foxburrow Hill roundabout

No work to the to the existing eastern and western footpaths on A12 Yarmouth Road between Foxburrow Hill Roundabout and Foxes Walk will take place this week. We will have to return at a later date to finish electrical elements and minor resurfacing.

The works include the installation of a new toucan crossing and localised widening of the existing eastern and western footways, operations include full depth construction, installation of new kerbs, street lighting, signage, surfacing and lining to its approaches.

Works will be carried out under off peak lane closures between 9:30am and 3:30pm. On 9 May there will be one night closure between 6.30pm and 7am to install traffic loops.

A12 Katwijk Way – St Peters Street

Work to the existing eastern and western footpaths on Katwijk Way and St Peters Street between St Peters Street Roundabout and Clapham Road Central will last until June. We will have to return at a later date to finish electrical elements and minor resurfacing. We are working with UK Power Network to programme this.

The work includes the upgrade of the existing controlled pedestrian crossing on St Peters Street to a toucan crossing, widening of the southern footway, widening of the footway around the southern end of the roundabout, and installation of a new footpath to the eastern verge on Katwijk Way. The work includes full construction, installation of new kerbs, paving, street lighting, signage, and lining.

Works will be carried out under off peak lane closures between 9:30am and 3:30pm. From 9 May to 11 May there will be night time closure on Adrian Road between 7pm and 6am for crossing installation.

A12 Lowestoft – Jubilee Way

Work to the existing western and northern arm of the Jubilee Way St Peters Street roundabout. Work will continue until late May and we will have to return at a later date to finish electrical elements and minor resurfacing. We are working with UK Power Network to programme this.

The work includes the widening of the existing western footpath and the installation of a new toucan crossing on the northern arm of the roundabout. Operations include full depth construction, installation of new kerbs, paving, street lighting, signage, and resurfacing and road markings to the approaches. Work will be carried out under off peak lane closures between 9:30am and 3:30pm.

A12 Lowestoft – Station Road/Gunton St/Peters Avenue

Work to the eastern footpath on A12 Yarmouth Road between Station Road and St Peters Street will continue until late May. We will have to return at a later date to finish electrical elements and minor resurfacing. We are working with UK Power Network to programme this.

The overall work includes the removal of the existing anti-parking measures along the eastern footpath. Operations include, installation of new kerbs, paving, street lighting, signage, and resurfacing to the footway.

Work will be carried out under off peak lane closures between the hours of 9.30am and 3.30pm. Once UK Power Network has completed their work we will then have some resurfacing to complete.

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 and bridges. 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. 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.

There will be 2 way, off peak traffic lights occasionally in place for day-time work on the B579 Luton Rd near Vauxhall and into Chalton village.

There will be 2 way, off peak traffic lights occasionally in place for daytime work on the A5120 between Thorn Road and Tebworth Road.

A11 Red Lodge: layby improvements

We are working to improve safety on the A11 at the northbound layby near Red Lodge by bringing the entry and exits up to current standards. The works also include resurfacing the layby and approximately 350 metres of the inside lane of the A11. We will soon be having overnight road closures with clearly signed diversions in place to complete this work.

Currently we are just working in the layby without disrupting traffic.

A14 Cambridge to Huntingdon major improvements: survey work

We are currently carrying out topographical, drainage, pavement, existing services and street lighting surveys. We expect to complete these in the summer.

These surveys allow us to map the layout and level of the existing road and assets (such as bridges), drainage network and adjacent land, 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, wherever possible, will take place at night only (usually between 8pm and 6am) to minimise any disruption to traffic. No heavy machinery or plant equipment will be used.

Surveys are currently scheduled for:

  • Monday 16 May: A1 northbound, Alconbury - lane one closure
  • Monday 16 to Friday 20 May: A14 eastbound, junction 32 (Histon) to junction 33 (Milton) - lane one closure
  • Monday 16 to Friday 20 May: A14 eastbound, junction 27 (Fenstanton) to junction 31 (Girton) - lane one closure

A14 Stowmarket: Hill House viaduct repairs

We are repairing the A14 on the Hill House viaduct between junctions 49 and 50 as it passes Stowmarket. This work should be completed by July. We will be working between 8pm and 6am on weekdays and some weekends during this period. While we are working we will close the A14 in one direction, installing a contraflow system in place so that traffic can still use the A14.

The A14 will have to be closed for one night in each direction while we install the contraflow. When the A14 is closed, there will be a clearly signed diversion route in place. There will be a 40mph speed limit in place 24/7 throughout the works to protect the ramps and exposed parts of the road we are working on. For a short section of this there is a 20mph speed limit while drivers pass over the ramps.

Currently we are working on the westbound carriageway of the A14, which will be closed overnight while we are working during the week and 24 hours throughout the weekend. Due to this, contraflow will be running on the eastbound carriageway with traffic able to continue travelling in either direction, but only in one lane while passing our works.

A138 Chelmer Village, Chelmsford, Essex: Chelmer viaduct replacement

The new viaduct structure opened to traffic on Monday 18 April 2016.

Works are now ongoing under the structure to facilitate installation of grass cell and prepare permanent maintenance roads and fencing.

Work is also underway to facilitate demolition of the old structure which includes removal of existing services and preparation for the subsequent earthworks and demolition. This includes the implementation of temporary protection measures to existing services during demolition. Demolition will be independent from the new structure and will not impact traffic flows.

A428 Madingley Road: resurfacing

We are repairing and maintaining the A428 at the Cambridge Road Bridge by Madingley, working from 8pm to 6am. We expect this work to be completed by July. To keep road users at a safe distance from the works, we will have lanes closed both east and westbound, though not in both directions at the same time to begin with.

Currently there is a lane closure eastbound with barriers, a 50mph speed limit and a 9ft 6in width restriction. These closures will be in place 24/7 for the duration of the works, for five weeks in each direction. These lane closures, which will also have a 50mph speed limit in place, will be from Cambridge Road and Madingley to the A1303.

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 13 May 2016