Press release

Planned roadworks in the East of England: weekly summary for Monday 2 - Sunday 8 March 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.

New Work

A12 Bascule Bridge, Lowestoft: routine maintenance works

Work to carry out routine maintenance works on the A12 Bascule Bridge at Lowestoft will take place overnight for two nights from Monday 2 March. The work will be carried out between 8pm and 6am and is planned for completion by Tuesday 3 March. 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 rejoin A12 northbound (Yarmouth Road) by turning left at Tesco Roundabout toward Great Yarmouth. Southbound traffic will follow the same route in reverse.

Ongoing work

A1(M) junction 6, Welwyn: pinchpoint junction improvement works

Work to improve the northbound entry slip road on the A1(M) at junction 6 Welwyn is taking place overnight from 2 March. 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. The work is being carried out between 10pm and 5pm and is planned for completion by the end of May. From 2 March there will be a full closure of the A1(M) northbound between junctions 4 and 6. A diversion will be clearly signposted direction road users to travel via the A6129, B197 and the A1000 to rejoin the A1(M) at junction 6.

A1/A47 Wansford, Peterborough: pinchpoint 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 started the works on Thursday 15 January and have scheduled them to finish by the end of March. We are working between 8pm and 6am from Monday to Sunday.

During the week starting Monday 2 March traffic management will continue to be as follows:

  • eastbound traffic will be diverted off the A47 at the western roundabout onto the A1 northbound to Carpenters Lodge junction at Stamford before returning on the A1 southbound to Wansford
  • westbound traffic will be controlled by a lane closure with temporary traffic signals at the eastern roundabout before continuing between the two roundabouts and continuing their journey. This will also allow traffic leaving the A1 southbound to follow the same westbound diversion

For more information, visit the project pages.

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 pinchpoint 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 eight 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 night-time 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 northbound full closures Monday 2 March to Thursday 5 March from 9pm to 6am. In addition to this there will be a full weekend closure (night & day) from Friday 6th March 10pm to Sunday 8th March noon, weather permitting.

During the weekday closures, the diversion route will be leaving the A1 Northbound at Sandy roundabout, travelling along the A603 before joining the A421 where the A1 will be rejoined at the Black Car Roundabout.

During the weekend closure A1 will be closed from Blunham to Wyboston with a diversion route leaving at Blunham along Barford Road and rejoining at Wyboston. The A421 will be closed from Cardington Junction with traffic being diverted down the A603 to Sandy roundabout, turning left for A1 North and picking up the northbound diversion. During the road closures only, traffic will only be able to travel along Barford Road Northbound, and its weight restriction will be lifted.

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 the project pages.

A12 Kelvedon: pinchpoint average speed camera installation works

We are installing average speed cameras on the A12 in both directions between J22 Coleman’s Interchange Witham and J24 Kelvedon north. These cameras will be used to enforce the 70mph speed limit and improve safety at this location. The works are part of a multi-million improvement programme designed to boost local economies, reduce congestion and improve safety on the strategic road network. The programme is part of the UK’s Government growth initiative, outlined during the chancellor’s Autumn Statement in November 2011. The programme provides smaller scale improvements that can deliver big returns by easing congestion and making journey times more reliable for road users, including hauliers and commuters to help boost local economies and drive economic growth.

Works started on 17 February, which are being carried out overnight between 8:00 pm and 6:00 am on weeknights only, with occasional weekend working, and are scheduled to last for 6 weeks. Work will continue from Monday 2 March using overnight lane closures. For more information, visit the project pages.

A12 J31-33, Suffolk: improvement works

We are in the second phase of works to improve the road network on the A12 between junction 31 (Four Sisters Interchange) and junction 33 (Copdock Interchange). We are resurfacing the carriageway and renewing road markings, repairing barriers and drainage systems and improving lighting and embankments within these works. We are working each night between 10pm and 6am and weekends between 10pm and 9:30am the works are being carried out under contraflow running with a reduced speed limit. The works should be finished by the end of March.

A12 J11-12, Brentwood, Essex: improvement works

We are in the second phase of works to improve the road network on the A12 in both directions between junction 11 (for M25) and junction 12 (for A1023 Chelmsford Road). We are resurfacing the carriageway and renewing road markings, repairing barriers and drainage systems and improving lighting and embankments within these works. We are working each night between 10pm and 6am and the works are being carried out under contraflow running with a reduced speed limit. The works should be finished by the end of March.

A12 Hughes Corner, near Colchester, Essex: pinchpoint average speed camera installation works

We are installing average speed cameras on the A12 in both directions at Hughes Corner, in Suffolk. These cameras will be used to enforce the 70mph speed limit and improve safety at this location. The works are part of a multi-million ‘Pinchpoint’ improvement programme designed to boost local economies, reduce congestion and improve safety on the strategic road network. The programme is part of the UK’s Government growth initiative, outlined during the chancellor’s Autumn Statement in November 2011. The programme provides smaller scale improvements that can deliver big returns by easing congestion and making journey times more reliable for road users, including hauliers and commuters to help boost local economies and drive economic growth.

We started works on 8 February and have scheduled them to last for 7 weeks. The works will be carried out overnight between 8:00 pm and 6:00 am on weeknights with occasional weekend working. Work will continue from Monday 2 March using overnight lane closures. For more information, visit the project pages.

A14 Tostock, Suffolk: bridge maintenance works

We are carrying out maintenance works on the bridge which carries the A14 over the Tostock Road near A14 junction 46, Tostock, Suffolk. Work started on Monday 26 January and we aim to complete the works in early March. We will work between 8pm and 6am Monday to Sunday and will use lane closures on the A14 with a temporary speed limit of 50mph in both directions past the works. We will also use a lane closure with temporary traffic lights on Tostock Road past the works.

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 work, which is part of the Government’s Pinchpoint Programme, is scheduled to take place mainly during the day, with existing lanes narrowed and a 50mph speed limit imposed.

During the week starting Monday 2 March, there will be a full closure each evening of the both the eastbound carriageway between junctions 31-32 and also the westbound carriageway between junctions 36-32. Closures will be effective between 8pm and 6am and local diversions will be clearly signposted. For details of the scheme, visit the Highways Agency website.

A14 Ipswich: improvement works

Improvement work started on Monday 9 February on the A14 in Ipswich between junction 49 (Stowupland) and junction 58 (Levington). The scheme which includes resurfacing, drainage renewal, replacing barriers, embankment work and removing defects in the road is due to be completed by Friday 20 March.

Work to resurface the exit slip road at junction 52 (Claydon) will start on 3 March for three nights – road users will be diverted to junction 51 and back to exit at junction 52.

Work to resurface the westbound entry slip road at junction 55 (Copdock) will start on 2 March for three nights and road users will be diverted to junction 54 and back to exit at junction 55.

Works to renew the drainage system and repair the central reserve barrier between junctions 55 and 58 is continuing under lane closures.

A14 Huntingdon: barrier replacement works

Work to replace sections of the central reservation barrier is being carried out on the A14 between the B660 and Spaldwick and between Brampton and Spittals near Huntingdon. Works started Monday 9 February and are due to finish by the end of March. We will be working between 8pm and 6am and will use lane 2 closures and a temporary speed limit of 40mph for safety reasons.

A47 Walsoken, Wisbech, Cambridgeshire: junction improvements

We are making improvements to the A47 Walsoken / Broad End Road junction by installing new warning signs and renewing road markings at the location. Work should be finished by the end of March 2015. We will work between 8pm and 6am and will use temporary traffic signals to manage traffic.

A138 Chelmer Village Way, Chemsford, Essex: Chelmer Viaduct replacement

The major improvement work on the Chelmer Viaduct in Chelmsford will take approximately 18 months to complete. Works to construct a southern access are due to commence on the night of Monday 2ndMarch through to Thursdy 5th of March and again from Monday night through to Thursday night (09th-12th March). These works will be carried out between 8.30pm and 6.00am and we will maintain one lane of traffic open in each direction, so anticipate there will be no impact upon traffic flows. For details of the scheme, visit the Highways Agency website.

A421 Bedford Southern Bypass Westbound: resurfacing works

We are undertaking resurfacing works to the westbound carriageway of the A421 Bedford Southern Bypass. Works will involve renewal of the existing road surface. A 24-hour speed limit will be in place for safety reasons as working methods will require daytime traffic to run on temporary road surfaces throughout the duration of the scheme. Works started Monday 23February and are scheduled to last for five weeks. Works will be undertaken between 8pm and 6am on weeknights. The road will be closed between its junction with the A4280 and its junction with the A6 at Elstow Traffic wishing to travel west will need to follow the clearly signed diversion route along the A4280, Newham Avenue, Longhome Way, A5140 returning to the A421 at the A6 junction at Elstow.

A421 Castle Mill viaduct, Bedford: drainage repair works

We are repairing the drainage on the A421 Castle Mill viaduct south of Bedford and the works should be completed by 13 May. These works will be carried out alongside the A421 Bedford Southern Bypass resurfacing works and we will need to close the A421 westbound between A4280 Goldington Road and A6 Elstow. Road users will leave A421 at the Renhold Junction onto the A4280 Goldington Road, turn left at the traffic lights onto Newnham Avenue. At the roundabout take the second exit onto Longholme Way, to the next roundabout with the A600 (London Road), take the A5140 (Rope Walk), continue along the A6 (Ampthill Road) to the A421.

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 27 February 2015