Planned roadworks in the East of England: weekly summary for Monday 19 to Sunday 25 September 2016
Summary of the 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. All our improvement work is carried out with the aim of causing as little disruption as possible.
Works reminder
A4012 Woburn Road junction northwards to Sheep Lane Roundabout
There will be a full road closure on Saturday 17 September on the A5 between the A4012 Woburn Road at Hockliffe, up to and including the Sheep Lane roundabout.
A5/A505 Roundabout to Tebworth
There will be lane closures on Saturday 17 September the A5 (north and southbound) between the A5/A505 roundabout and Tebworth Road. Traffic lights will be in use to facilitate single lane traffic We will be working from Bramble Cottage northwards. We will provide a safe escort to residents who need access/egress to their property.
New work
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 19 to Friday 23 September on the M11, and on Thursday 22 September on the A120.
M40 Banbury: message sign upgrading
We are upgrading visual message signs on the M40 between junctions 9 (A34 – A41 – Bicester) and 11 (A422 – Banbury). We will be doing this from Monday 19 to Monday 26 September, working between 8pm and 5am. The hard shoulder and, in some stretches, the left hand and central lane, will be closed while we are working.
A14 Bury St Edmunds: road surface surveys
We are surveying the road surface along the A14 westbound between junctions 43 (Bury St Edmunds central) and 42 (Westley). This will start at junction 43 on Monday 19 September, finishing on Thursday 22 September at junction 42. This will be done between 8pm and 5am, using lane closures where necessary.
A14 Felixstowe: road surface surveys
We are surveying the road surface along the A14 northbound between junctions 58 (Trinity Park) and 60 (A154 – Port of Felixstowe Road roundabout). This will start at junction 58 on Wednesday 21 September, finishing on Friday 30 September at junction 60. This will be done between 8pm and 5am, using lane closures where necessary.
A47 King’s Lynn: road surface surveys
We are surveying the road surface along the A47 between the New Cut roundabout and the Guyhirn roundabout in both directions. This will be done overnight on Monday 19 September. We will be working between 8pm and 5am, using traffic lights where necessary.
Ongoing work
Various roads: barrier repairs
We will continue repairs to crash 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, usually working between 8pm and 5am. This week we are repairing barriers on the M11 in both directions from Monday 19 to Friday 22 September 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).
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: 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).
M11 and A120 Stansted Airport: road repairs
We are repairing embankments on the M11 as part of a wider package of works which included resurfacing on M11 and A120 and putting in new signs, which commenced earlier this year. The package of works should be completed in October. Most of our work will be between 7am and 5pm, with a hard shoulder closure and temporary speed limit in place.
This week we are repairing an embankment on the M11 at junction 7 (Harlow). During the work, the hard shoulder is closed at this location and there are narrow lanes and a 50mph limit.
We are repairing an embankment on the M11 at junction 8 (Stansted). The hard shoulder is closed at junction 8 with a 50mph limit in place while we are working. We expect this work to take around three months to complete.
M11 Hastingwood: electronic message sign renewal
We are replacing electronic message signs on the M11 between junction 7 Hastingwood and junction 8 Birchanger on the southbound carriageway. This work will provide more reliable and maintainable message sign allowing increased availability for communication with road users.
We plan to complete the replacement work in two shifts between Monday 15 August and Friday 23 September. We will be working between 10pm and 6am.
We will have lane closures on the M11 southbound entry slip road from the A120 Birchanger Roundabout at junction 8 joining lane closures on the M11 southbound main carriageway.
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 September. 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 currently working to replace and repair technology used to measure traffic volumes on the M11, which is embedded in the road on the junction 13 (Madingley) exit slip road northbound. We will be working overnight on Monday 19 September.
The left hand lane will be closed on the M11 northbound between junctions 12 and 13, with the junction 13 exit slip road closed. Traffic will be diverted on the M11 northbound to junction 14 (A14 Girton), then onto the A14 junction 31 (Girton) onto the eastbound A14 carriageway to junction 32 (Impington). Traffic wanting the A14 eastbound will carry straight on. Traffic wanting Madingley or Cambridge will turn around at junction 32 to proceed down the A14 westbound onto the A428 westbound to Hardwick and then turn around onto the westbound A428 and leave at the Madingley and the A1303.
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). This work is expected to be completed by mid-December. For further details, please visit: http://www.highways.gov.uk/m40-junction-6-to-8.
This week there will be overnight lane closures northbound from junctions 6 to 8 from Monday 19 to Sunday 25 September from 10pm to 5.30am. There will be one lane running each night. 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.
This week we are working on the M40 northbound at junction 1 (A40 – Denham), from Wednesday 21 to Thursday 22 September. Traffic will be diverted to exit onto the A40, travel around the Denham Roundabout to join the M40.
We are working on the M40 northbound exit slip road and southbound entry slip road at junction 7 (A329 – Milton Common), from Thursday 22 to Friday 23 September. Traffic looking to exit the M40 will be directed to continue to exit 8A, exit and return southbound to junction 7. Traffic looking to join the M40 will be diverted to take the A40 northbound and then the A418 to join the M40 southbound at junction 7.
A1(M) Peterborough: routine maintenance
We are completing routine maintenance on the A1(M) between Huntingdon and Peterborough, including surfacing, replacing and repairing technology use to measure traffic volumes, repairing the safety fence, and putting more white lining on the road.
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 A422 Abbey Hill Roundabout (H3) and the A421 Redmoor Roundabout (H9). The left hand lane will be closed while we are working and a 50mph speed limit will be in place. The entry slip road from the A422 Abbey Hill Roundabout (H3) will also be closed overnight and drivers will be diverted to take Grafton Street (V6) to re-join the A5 southbound at A421 Redmoor Roundabout (H9).
We are also working on the A5 northbound between the A4146 Kelly’s Kitchen Roundabout and the A509 Portway Interchange (H5). The left hand lane will be closed while we are working and a 50mph speed limit will be in place. On Tuesday 20 September the road will be closed overnight and drivers will be diverted to take Watling Street, Bletcham Way and V6 to re-join the A5 northbound via A509 Portway Interchange (H5).
A5-M1 Link (Dunstable Northern Bypass), Bedfordshire: major improvements
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
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 be overnight lane closures on the M1 between junction 11 and 12 for ongoing verge works from Monday 19 to Friday 23 September.
There will be full closures on the M1 in both directions (northbound and southbound) between junctions 11 and 12 from 8pm on Saturday 24 September until 2pm on Sunday 25 September to allow for the safe demolition of an existing overbridge (Houghton Road).
The M1 northbound traffic will be diverted to exit at junction 9 and then traffic diverted north on the A5 to Milton Keynes. At the Junction with the Bletcham roundabout, take the third exit onto Bletcham Way (A4146) and continue to Browns Wood roundabout; take the first exit onto Tongwell Street (A4146). At Walnut Tree roundabout take the second exit and continue north along Tongwell St (A4146). At Brinklow roundabout take second exit and continue north Tongwell St (A4146) to Monkston roundabout and take the second exit onto Tongwell St (A4146) and continue north to the roundabout with Childs Way. Take the third exit and follow Childs Way (A4146) to Northfield roundabout, take second exit onto A509, re-join junction 14 of the M1.
Traffic for Luton Airport and Dunstable will be able to continue on the M1 at junction 9 and continue north on the M1 to junction 10 for Luton and Dunstable. At junction 11 the M1 will be closed completely and traffic taken off the junction with the A505.
M1 southbound traffic will exit at junction 12 and turn right onto the A5120 through Toddington. Turn left onto Houghton Regis High Street and continue to the junction with Park Rd, taking the third exit onto Poynters Rd and follow to the A505 roundabout. Take the first exit and continue along the A505 to junction 11 of the M1 and re-join south.
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. There is no right turn onto Thorn Road from the A5 northbound as well as no right turn onto the A5 from Thorn Road. There will be traffic lights overnight on the A5-A505 between 8pm and 6am.
On Friday 16 September local traffic will be moved over to use the new B579 Luton Road bridge over the M1. This will provide a new road layout link over the M1.
There will be a road Closure of B579 Luton Road between Houghton Road and the roundabout of Luton Road and Toddington Road to allow the new Luton Road tie-in works to be completed. This road closure will be in place from 8pm on Friday 16 September until 6am on Monday 19 September. Following the road closure there will be a new road layout opened as the scheme progresses.
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 Bentley Drive
There will be work on upgrading the pedestrian crossing starting week commencing 5 September. There will be lane restrictions on all approaches to the Bentley Drive/Foxburrow Hill roundabout to accommodate the signal upgrade work and will be in place 24/7 for approximately three weeks. Next week there will be minor carriageway width restrictions during footway reinstatement work to ensure appropriate safety zones.
A12 Lowestoft Camden Street / High Street
There is no work planned this week.
A12 Lowestoft – Gunton Church Lane / Hollingsworth
There will be work week commencing 12 September to carry out connections and disconnections to street lighting. These works will be carried out under off-peak traffic light control.
A12 Lowestoft – Jubilee Way
There will be street lighting works commencing Tuesday 13 September. There will be no lane restrictions in this area but some work to the cycleway surface.
A12 Lowestoft – Station Road/Gunton St/Peters Avenue
Work will begin week commencing 12 September for street lighting work, using off-peak, three-way traffic light control next week to disconnect and connect street lighting.
A12 Witham: bridge repairs
We are working to refurbish Olivers Bridge, where the A12 crosses B1018 Maldon Road, just to the east of Witham. This is to complete essential repairs to the bridge structure and resurface the road across it.
The work is due to finish before November. To keep road users at a safe distance from the works, we will need to close part of each side of the A12 while we are working. We will install a contraflow with narrow lanes, keeping two lanes open on the A12 in both directions. This contraflow will be in place continuously throughout the duration of the work, along with a 40mph speed limit.
In order to install this contraflow and complete some of the work, some overnight closures of the A12 in both directions will be necessary. These will be carried out between 10pm and 6am to minimise disruption to road users. On these nights when the A12 is closed, there will be a clearly signed diversion route in place whereby drivers will take the B1389 through Witham to re-join the A12.
Drivers of abnormal loads (wider than 2.9 metres) will be unable to use the contraflow due to the narrow lanes. When travelling northbound and we are working on the A12 northbound, such drivers will be diverted to: Take the M25 westbound, then the M11 northbound, A11 north-east, and then A14 eastbound to re-join the A12.
Similarly, southbound drivers will take this route in reverse when we are working on the A12 southbound. This diversion route for drivers of abnormal loads will be in place for both directions simultaneously during the overnight road closures.
This week we are working on the northbound side of the bridge, with the right hand lane closed, On Monday 19 September we will be moving the lane closure so that the left hand lane is closed for us to work on, though contraflow will maintain two lanes running Once in place, this contraflow will keep two lanes of traffic running in both directions, albeit in narrow lanes and the reduced speed limit. There will be three lanes on the northbound side (including one southbound), and one on the southbound side.
A14 Cambridge to Huntingdon major improvements: surveys
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 19 September only
- Hilton Road, Fenstanton, two way traffic light closures (between 9.30am and 3.30pm)
- The Avenue, Madingley, two way traffic light closures (between 9.30am and 3.30pm)
- A1 southbound, Alconbury to Brampton Hut, overnight lane closure.
Monday 19 – Friday 23 September
- Buckden Road, Brampton, two way traffic light closures (between 9.30am and 3.30pm)
Tuesday 20 – Friday 23 September
- Robins Lane, Swavesey, two way traffic light closures (between 9.30am and 3.30pm)
- Ermine Street, Godmanchester, two way traffic light closures (between 9.30am and 3.30pm)
Wednesday 21 September
- The Avenue, Madingley, two way traffic light closures (between 9.30am and 3.30pm)
Friday 23 September only
- High Street, Boxworth, two way traffic light closures (between 9.30am and 3.30pm).
A14 Ipswich: Orwell Bridge maintenance
We are working beneath Orwell Bridge near Ipswich at either end of the bridge. Some of the work we are doing to maintain the bridge is within the bridge, but there are no restrictions to traffic using the A14 crossing the bridge.
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 Peterborough City Council website.
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.
A428 St Neots to Caxton: road repairs
We are working to repair and improve the A428 between St Neots and Caxton in four separate sections. We will be working on weeknights between 8pm and 6am and expect this work to be finished by November.
Stretches of the A428 will be closed while we are working.
Currently we are working between Tithe Farm roundabout (junction with the B1428) and Tesco roundabout (junction with Barford Road).
When heading westbound, drivers will be diverted to take the A1198 at Caxton Gibbet, at Godmanchester follow the A14 westbound to junction 21, and at Brampton Hut take the A1 southbound and follow the A1 southbound to Wyboston roundabout, where the diversion ends. Drivers heading eastbound will follow this diversion in reverse.
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.