Press release

Planned roadworks in the East of England: weekly summary for Monday 20 – Sunday 26 April 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

M11 junction 7, Hastingwood, Essex: Slip road resurfacing

Work to resurface the northbound entry and exit slip roads and southbound entry slip road on the M11 at junction 7 near Hastingwood, Essex will take place overnight for two nights from Wednesday 22 April. The work will be carried out between 8pm and 6am and is scheduled to be completed by Thursday 24 April. During the work there will be a full closure of the northbound entry and exit slip roads and of the southbound entry slip road. A diversion will be clearly signposted directing road users wishing to exit the M11 northbound to junction 8 for Stansted before returning southbound to junction 7. Where the northbound entry slip road is closed, road users wishing to join the M11 northbound will be diverted southbound on the M11 to junction 6 (M25 interchange), westbound on the M25 to junction 26 and then eastbound back along the M25 to join the M11 northbound at junction 6. Where the southbound entry slip road is closed, road users wishing to join the M11 southbound will be directed to follow the M11 northbound to junction 8 for Stansted before returning southbound to continue their journey.

A1 J17 southbound exit slip, Peterborough: Resurfacing

Work to resurface the southbound exit slip road on the A1 at junction 17 near Peterborough will take place overnight on Wednesday 22 April for one night. The work will be carried out between 8pm and 6am. During the work the southbound exit slip road will be closed at junction 17. A diversion will be clearly signposted directing road users to travel southbound onto the A1(M) to junction 16 before returning northbound to junction 17. Non-motorway traffic will be diverted off the A1 southbound at its junction with A47 (Wansford) before being directed along the A47, Nene Parkway and A1189 to continue their journey.

A14 junction 55, Copdock, Ipswich: Sign installation

Work to install a new Park and Ride sign on the A14 at junction 55 (Copdock Interchange) eastbound near Ipswich will take place overnight for two nights from 23 April. The work will take place between 9pm and 6am and is planned for completion by 25 April. During the work there will be an eastbound lane closure past the works.

Ongoing work

A1/A47 Wansford, Peterborough: Pinch Point junction improvements

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. We started the works on Thursday 15 January and have scheduled them to finish by the end of April. We are working between 8pm and 6am from Monday to Sunday. During the week starting Monday 20 April there will be lane closures controlled by temporary traffic signals. For more information, visit http://www.highways.gov.uk/roads/road-projects/a1a47-wansford-interchange-east-improvement/

A1, Black Cat roundabout, Bedfordshire and Cambridgeshire: Improvements

Work to ease congestion and improve journey time and safety on the A1 at the Black Cat Roundabout started in June 2014. 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 improved roundabout opened to traffic last week and the traffic signals are now fully operational. We will remain on site to check the traffic signals are working with the flow of traffic and to complete some finishing off works using overnight closures, weeknights only.

There will be no traffic management between Monday 20 April and Sunday 26 April.

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.

Advance works started on site in May 2014 and main construction work which has now started, is progressing. These works will require some road closures, which will be publicised in advance.

The two public exhibitions days have now concluded and were well attended with over 600 members of the public. To view the display boards used at the exhibition and a fly through visualisation of the proposed scheme, visit: http://www.highways.gov.uk/publications/a5-m1-link-dunstable-northern-bypass-exhibition-display-boards/

Work on the major improvement is due to complete in spring 2017. For more information, visit http://www.highways.gov.uk/roads/road-projects/A5-M1-Link-Dunstable-Northern-Bypass

A11/A14 Newmarket: Embankment stabilisation

Work to stabilise the embankment alongside the A14 at junction 38 and the A11 near Newmarket continues. The work is being carried out between 8pm and 6am and is planned for completion by 17 April. During the work there are lane closures past the works.

A12 Bascule Bridge, Lowestoft, Suffolk: Improvements

Work is continuing to carry out improvements to the bridge lifting mechanism on the A12 Bascule Bridge in Lowestoft. The work is being carried out overnight between 8pm and 6am Sunday to Thursday and is scheduled for completion by 30 April. During the work there is a full carriageway closure of the A12 at the bridge. National traffic travelling northbound will be diverted to the A1117 Bloodmoor Road, at the A12/A1117 Bloodmoor Road Roundabout continuing on the A1117 (Bloodmoor Road, Elmtree Road, Cotmer Road) to its junction with the A146 Bridge Road, turn left onto the A1117 Bridge Road, continue on the A1117 (Normanston Drive, Millennium Way, Bentley Drive) to re-join the A12 Yarmouth Road and vice versa for southbound traffic. Local diversions will be clearly signposted.

A12 J31-33, Suffolk: Improvements

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 9pm and 6am and weekends between 9pm and 8am. During the week commencing 20 April the southbound carriageway will be closed overnight. A clearly signposted diversion route will be in place directing road users to leave the A12 at junction 56 of the A14 on to the A137, and to follow the A133 back on to the A12 at Crown Interchange (junction 29).

A12 J11-12, Brentwood, Essex: Improvements

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. During the week commencing 20 April the southbound carriageway and lane 2 of the northbound carriageway will be closed overnight for six nights. A clearly signposted diversion route will be in place directing road users to travel via the B1002 and A1023 to rejoin the A12 at junction 12.

A14, Bury St Edmunds – Felixstowe: Sign replacement

Work is continuing to replace 14 signs along the A14 between Bury St Edmunds and Felixstowe. The work is being carried out between 9pm and 6am on weeknights only and is planned for completion by 24 April. During the work there is a lane closure in both directions on the A14 at various locations between junction 44 (Bury St Edmunds East) and A154 Felixstowe.

A14 Girton to Histon (junctions 31 to 32): Lane gain scheme

Work 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 was completed on Friday 10 April, with all three lanes in both directions now open with a reduced speed limit of 50mph.

Finishing off works, which include landscaping, street lighting and fully resurfacing the road between junctions 31 and 32 (which will require overnight closures), should be completed by early June.

Between Monday 20 and Friday 24 April the eastbound carriageway between junction 31-32 and the westbound slip roads at both junctions 36 and 32 will be closed overnight between 8pm and 6am. Diversions will be clearly signposted. For details of the scheme, visit the Highways Agency website at http://www.highways.gov.uk/roads/road-projects/A14-Junction-31-to-32-Eastbound-and-Westbound-Improvements

A14 Huntingdon: Barrier replacement

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

A47 Peterborough: Bridge repairs

Work to carry out bridge and safety barrier repair works is continuing on the A47 at junction 18 (Lincoln Road Interchange) in Peterborough. The work is being carried out between 8am and 6pm and is scheduled to finish in April. During the works there will be a lane closure in both directions between junctions 17 and 18 with a temporary 50mph speed limit. A diversion will be clearly signposted for abnormal loads directing westbound traffic off the A47 at junction 15 (Thomas Cook Interchange) along the A1260 Nene Parkway southbound to the junction with A1139 Fletton Parkway before taking the A1139 northbound to its junction with the A47 junction 20 (Dogsthorpe). Eastbound traffic will follow this diversion in reverse.

A138 Chelmer Village, Chelmsford, Essex: Chelmer Viaduct replacement

Work to rebuild the viaduct at Chelmer on the A138 started on 17 March 2015. The major improvement work on the Chelmer Viaduct in Chelmsford will take approximately 18 months to complete. Construction of the access road for the viaduct construction traffic has started and drainage, pipe-laying work and the reinforcement of the existing embankment is now due to begin. All work will be carried out off-line and traffic will not be affected. For details of the scheme, visit the Highways Agency website at http://www.highways.gov.uk/roads/road-projects/a138-chelmsford-replacement-of-chelmer-viaduct/

A421 Castle Mill viaduct, Bedford: Drainage repairs

We are repairing the drainage on the A421 Castle Mill viaduct south of Bedford and the work should be completed by 13 May. This work 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 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 17 April 2015