Planned roadworks in the East of England: weekly summary for Monday 21 – Sunday 27 December 2015
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
M1 Luton: Technology repairs
Technology repairs are needed on the M1 near Luton. The motorway will be closed northbound between junctions 11 (Luton and Dunstable Hospital) and 12 (Toddington) between 11pm and 5am on Monday 21 December. It will be closed southbound between the two junctions on Tuesday 22 December. Clearly signed diversion routes will be in place.
Ongoing work
M1, A421, A5, Bedfordshire: improvements
A package of works to repair or resurface carriageways, replace and install new signs, replace road markings, upgrade lighting cables and install new LED lighting heads on the M1, A421 and A5 in Bedfordshire started last month and is planned for completion in January 2016. The work is part of Highways England’s commitment to improve safety and ensure better journey experiences across the East region’s busiest roads.
Work on the A5 between Little Brickhill and A505 Roundabout
Work to resurface the carriageway, laybys and replace road markings on the A5 is taking place between Sheep Lane Roundabout and Hockliffe. The A5 will be closed in both directions between the A5 at Sheep Lane Roundabout and the A505 roundabout between 8pm and 6am. Traffic will be diverted via the A505, A4146 and A5. Local residents who require access will be escorted past the roadworks. Work on this section of the A5 is expected to be completed before Christmas.
Work on the A5 between between Half Moon and Beech Road
Verge clearance work will take place ahead of planned resurfacing between Half Moon and Beech Road. Traffic lights will be in operation on the A5 overnight between 8pm and 6am.
Work on A421
The A421 westbound will be closed between 9pm and 5.30am from Marston Moretaine to junction 13 of the M1 until Wednesday 23 December. The diversion will follow the route of the old A421.
No work will take place over the Christmas period. Work will stop on 23 December and resume after midnight on 2 January 2016. You can stay informed of latest closures and works on our website.
M11, 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 June. The work is part of Highways England’s commitment to improve safety and ensure better journey experiences across the East region’s busiest roads.
Work on the A14
- repair the embankment at A1307 Huntingdon Road to repair an earth slip in addition to refurbishing works to the bridge. A lane closure and 40mph speed limit remain in place 24 hours a day with lane 2 remaining open.
- resurface the road and putting down new road markings between junctions 29 and 31. The road will be closed eastbound at junction 29 (Bar Hill) to 31 (Girton) from 8pm to 6am (on weekdays). Traffic for Bar Hill and the Village of Lolworth will be able to exit at junction 29 and then travel west on the A14. Traffic for the A14 East and the M11 south will exit at junction 29 and be diverted west on the A14 to junction 23 (Huntingdon) south to the A1 at Brampton Hut onto the A1 south to the A428 heading east returning to the A14. Traffic for the M11 south will leave at the A1303 Madingley Road and re-join the M11 south at junction 13.
- resurfacing the A14 between junctions 26 (Hemingfords) and 29 (Bar Hill). The road will be closed eastbound between the junctions from 9pm to 6am until early January (weekdays only, not over Christmas) and traffic will be diverted via the A1 and the A428. Traffic for the M11 will exit at J32 and return west then head south on the M11. Traffic for A14 junctions west of Girton J31 will exit at J32 and return west on the A14.
- repairing the embankment between junctions 34 (Horningsea) and 33 (Milton), where there are westbound lane closures.
- resurfacing between junctions 26 (Hilton) and 29 (Bar Hill), with the A14 currently closed eastbound overnight here. Eastbound traffic is diverted back to exit at junction 23, then take the A1 and A428, while traffic accessing between the two junctions continues east on the A428 to A14 junction 32, then west to junction 30. Traffic for the M11 south will follow the same diversion, exiting at junction 31
No work will take place over the Christmas period. Work will stop on 23 December and resume after midnight on 2 January 2016. You can stay informed of latest closures and works on our website.
M11 Stansted Airport to M25: carriageway repairs
We are repairing and improving the M11 between junctions 8 (Stansted Airport) and 6 (M25). Work should be completed by the end of February (no work during the Christmas period). We will be working on the M11 northbound between junctions 6 and 7 on Monday 21 and Tuesday 22 December, again with work between 10pm and 6am. Works will be completed under lane closure with speed restrictions in place.
A1(M) Huntingdon to Peterborough: overhead signs replacement
We are replacing the overhead message signs on the A1(M) between Huntingdon and Peterborough with newer models. The first phase of work will be done using hard shoulder closures only (not over Christmas). A second phase of work in the New Year will need some lane and slip road closures at night, with clearly signed diversions where needed. This work should be completed in spring 2016.
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. The traffic management, including 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. The lane closures and temporary 50mph speed limit will remain in place during the Christmas period for safety reasons.
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 on Monday 14 December and Friday 18 December between 8pm and 6pm.
To note that until mid-January the A5 will be closed in both directions between 8pm and 6am between Houghton Regis (Thorn Road) and Hockliffe Road for repair work. This work is not part of the A5-M1 link scheme.
Work on local roads:
On Luton Road (B579) Chalton there are two-way traffic lights between 10am and 3pm from Monday 14 December to Friday 18 December.
On the new Luton Road near Vauxhall there are two way traffic lights between 9.30am – 3.30pm from Monday 14 December to Friday 18 December.
Work on the major improvement is due to complete in spring 2017. For more information, visit the scheme website.
A12 Junctions 13 to 15, Margaretting: surveys
We will be carrying out pavement investigations until 15 January 2016 with a break for the Christmas period. During the investigations, overnight lane closures will be place.
A12 Essex: improvements
We are working to improve the A12 in Essex and Suffolk, making the road safer and improving the road surface. We are also putting in place new signs to make the road easier to navigate. Work at various locations along the route will be ongoing until spring 2016. The work is part of Highways England’s commitment to improve safety and ensure better journey experiences across the East region’s busiest roads.
No work will take place over the Christmas period. Work will stop on 23 December and resume after midnight on 2 January 2016. You can stay informed of latest closures and works on our website.
A14 Ipswich, Suffolk: Orwell Bridge safety improvements
Work to introduce a new speed limit, improve road markings and install new traffic signs as part of a package of measures to improve safety on the A14 Orwell Bridge in Suffolk is underway and is expected to complete by spring 2016. This work will also see the installation of average speed cameras enforcing a new speed limit of 60mph.
Most of the work will be carried out between 8pm and 6am involving lane closures and some road closures between junctions 56 to 57 with some minor work taking place on the verges during the day.
There are lanes closed on the A14 in both directions between junctions 55 and 58 between 10pm and 5am until mid-January (weekdays only, not over Christmas). Laybys are closed eastbound on the same stretch of road.
No work will take place over the Christmas period. Work will stop on 23 December and resume after midnight on 2 January 2016.
A14 Cambridge to Huntingdon improvement scheme: topographical surveys
From 19 October to 19 January we are carrying out topographical, drainage and pavement surveys for the A14 Cambridge to Huntingdon improvement scheme.
These surveys allow us to map the layout and level of the existing road, drainage network and adjacent land, as well as understand the ground we will be building on, 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 will take place at night only (between 8pm and 6am) to minimise any disruption to traffic.
No surveys will be carried out over the Christmas period. They will resume on 4 January.
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.
The reinforced deck construction is currently underway and earthworks are well advanced either side of the main viaduct structure.
All site work is carried out off-line so daytime traffic is not affected by the ongoing works. For further details visit the scheme website.
Highways England 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.