Planned roadworks in the East of England: weekly summary for Monday 21 to Sunday 27 March 2016
Summary of 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.
New work
A12 Bascule Bridge, Lowestoft: routine maintenance works
We will be carrying out routine maintenance works on the A12 Bascule Bridge at Lowestoft. This will be between Monday 21 and Tuesday 22 March, from 8pm to 6am. 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 re-join A12 northbound (Yarmouth Road) by turning left at Tesco roundabout toward Great Yarmouth. Southbound traffic will follow the same route in reverse.
A12 Hopton: roads renewal
We are working to repair the surface of the A12 northbound and southbound between the Lowestoft Road roundabout (Hopton on Sea) and the Links Road roundabout (Gorleston). We will be working from Monday 21 to Wednesday 23 March between 8pm and 6am. The A12 will be closed where we are working on it and there will be a clearly signed diversion in place. For northbound closures, traffic will be diverted south on the A12, onto the A1117 past Lowestoft, the A146 towards Beccles, the A143 towards Great Yarmouth, north on the A12 towards Great Yarmouth, then south at the William Adams Way roundabout. This diversion will be reversed for southbound closures.
A120 Great Bromley: central barrier inspection
We are inspecting the barrier in the central reserve of the A120 from junction 29 (Great Bromley) to the junction with Harwich Road. We are working between 7pm and 7am, with the work due to be completed on Monday 21 March. While we are working, a lane will be closed on the A120 in both directions.
A47 Halvergate: ground inspection
We are conducting a ground inspection of the A47 by Branch Road near Halvergate. We will be working on Monday 21 March from 10pm to 5am. We will have three-way traffic lights in place while we are working, which will be at the junction of the A47 and Branch Road.
M1 Toddington Services: service area closure
Moto Services are closing the southbound service area at Toddington between 10pm on Sunday 20 March and 5am on Monday 21 March. This is to allow the service station to carry out car park resurfacing work. There will be no facilities available at Toddington. For more information please contact the service station.
M1: sign maintenance
We are working to maintain and improve the overhead gantries on the M1 southbound between junction 9 (M5 Markyate) and 7/8 (Hemel Hempstead). The M1 will be closed between the two junctions while we work from 10pm and 5am until Wednesday 23 March. There will be a clearly signed diversion route, drivers will exit at junction 9, take the A5183 through Redbourn, the B487, A4147 and then the A414 to re-join the M1 at junction 8.
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.
We are extending the central barrier on the M11 between junctions 6 (M25) and 7 (Harlow). This will be done overnight on Wednesday 23 March between 9pm and 5am.
In the same location we are repairing and improving the M11 between junctions 8 (Stansted Airport) and 6 (M25). Work should be completed imminently. There will be lane closures and speed restrictions throughout the works and a number of road closures between junctions 8 and 6, with all work taking place between 10pm and 6am.
We are resurfacing sections of the M11 northbound between junctions 7 (Harlow) and 8 (Stansted airport) on Monday 21 March, with the motorway closed between the two junctions while we are working. There will be a clearly signed diversion route whereby drivers will take the A414 past Harlow, A1184 through Sawbridgeworth and the A120 around Bishop’s Stortford to re-join the M11 at junction 8.
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 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.
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 renewing and restoring the safety barrier in the centre of the road between junctions 31 (M11 interchange) and 34 (Horningsea). We will be working between 8pm and 6am, with work expected to be completed in April. While we are working there will be lane closures in both directions between the junctions overnight with a 40mph limit throughout the works.
We are doing some remedial work on the M11 at junction 13 (A1303 Madingley Road). On Monday 21 March there will be a lane closed between junctions 12 (A603) and 13 and the northbound exit slip road will be closed.
Northbound traffic will continue north on the M11 to junction 14 and head east on the A14 to junction 32, returning westbound on the A14 to the A428 and then to the entry slip from the A1303 where the diversion ends. Traffic wishing to return to the A1303 Madingley Road will continue to the Hardwick junction taking the exit and return east on the A428 to the Madingley exit slip, where the diversion ends. On Tuesday 22 March there will be a lane closed at the junction and the southbound entry slip will be closed. Southbound traffic will take the A1303 towards Cambridge, head south on the A1135, then take the A603 to re-join the M11 at junction 12.
M40: Essential 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, re-painting 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 northbound at junction 1 (Uxbridge) as the motorway goes over the junction, from Monday 21 to Thursday 24 March. Drivers will exit at junction 1 and then re-join at the same junction on the other side of our works.
We are working on the M40 northbound at junction 4 (High Wycombe) as the motorway goes under the junction, from Monday 21 to Wednesday 23 March. Drivers will exit at junction 4 and then re-join at the same junction on the other side of our works.
M40 J1A to J10, Bucks and Oxfordshire: overhead signs replacement
We are replacing the overhead message signs on the M40 between London and Bicester with new models. There will be hard shoulder closures and we will be working between 9.30am and 4.30pm as work begins. We will be replacing the signs between 10pm and 5am, with some slip roads closed. This work will be completed by the end of March.
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 junction started on 25 January and will be completed late March. 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.
Work will be carried out under off peak lane closures using 2 way temporary traffic signals between 9:30am and 3:30pm. The existing pedestrian crossing will be decommissioned and a temporary crossing put in place for the duration of the works.
Night-time road closures will be required on 22 and 23 March on the A12 at Artillery Way, High Street and Old Nelson Street in both directions between St Peters Street roundabout and Battery Green roundabout between 6.30pm and 7am.
A12 Lowestoft – Gunton Hall Pinch Point
Work to the existing eastern footpath between Gunton Avenue & Bentley Drive Roundabout will start on 18 January until 1 April. The existing eastern footpath will be widened, operations include the removal of trees, reconstruction and installation of new signage, fencing, resurfacing and lining. Work will be carried out under lane closures using 2-way temporary traffic signals between 9:30am and 3:30pm. Night work may be required for surfacing and road markings between 6:30pm and 7am.
A12 Lowestoft Camden Street / High Street
Work to the existing eastern and western footpaths on A12 Jubilee Way between St Margaret’s Street and Camden Street will start on 18 January to early May. 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. Night work will be required for the traffic signal connections, street lighting installation, surfacing and street markings between 6:30pm and 7am.
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 start on 18 January until the end of March. There will be further work for almost two weeks towards the end of April. 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 9:30 am and 3:30 pm. Night work will be required to install duct crossings for the street lighting and traffic signal, and surfacing and lining between 6:30pm and 7:00 am.
A12 Witham to Marks Tey
Works to the existing northern footpath on the A12 between Witham & Marks Tey and A1304 through Kelvedon, started on 25 January and will last until the end of April. 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 9pm and 5am.
A12 Lowestoft – Bentley Drive / Foxburrow Hill Roundabout
Works to the existing eastern and western footpaths on A12 Yarmouth Road between Foxburrow Hill Roundabout and Foxes Walk will start on 15 February and finish by the end of April. 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. Night work will be required to install duct crossings for the street lighting and traffic signal, as well as surfacing and lining between 6:30pm and 7am.
A12 Lowestoft – Foxburrow Hill
Works to the existing western footpath on A12 Yarmouth Road between Weston Road and Foxes Walk will start on 7 March until the end of March.
The works include the clearance of overgrown vegetation, installation of edgings, tactile paving, signage and surfacing. Works will be carried out under off peak lane closures between 9:30am and 3:30pm.
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 started on 22 February and will last until early May.
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.
Night work will be required to remove / install street lighting, install traffic signals and traffic loops, and install road markings between the hours of 6:30pm and 7am.
A120 Parkeston roundabout
Work to the existing footpath on the A120 Parkeston Roundabout started on 22 February and will last until the end of March. The work includes improvements to the uncontrolled crossings and footway widening to the northern and southern sides of the Parkeston roundabout, and resurfacing of the eastern approaches to the roundabout. The work includes full construction, installation of new kerbs, and edgings, surfacing, signage, and lining. There will be 24-hour lane closures to the roundabout approaches with work being carried out between 7.30am and 5pm.
A5 Dunstable North
Work to upgrade the existing pedestrian crossing to a toucan crossing on A5 between junctions of Winfield Street and Regents Street will start on 28 February for three weeks. The work includes the installation of a new toucan crossing, installing new kerbs, edgings and paving, signage, and lining to its approaches. The work will be carried out under night lane closures using traffic signals between 7pm and 6am.
A47 Hockering
Work to the A47 to provide a path linking existing cycle routes between North Tuddenham and Hockering will begin late February and finish in April. The work includes construction of a new cycle path along the verge of the A47, installation of new kerbs, edgings and paving, fencing, drainage, signage and lining. The work will be carried out under lane closures overnight with traffic signals between Fox Lane Bridge and Mill Lane from 7.15pm until 7am.
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 also be overnight lane closures when required, which will be clearly signed.
From Wednesday 16 March, we are starting work on installing beams for the new M1 junction 11A bridge and B579 Luton Road bridge. This work will continue until 10 April and we will need to close the M1, one direction at a time and overnight only between 10pm and 6am during the work, as well as close lanes in the opposite direction to the full closure when required, to carry out the work safely.
There will be overnight closures next week on 21, 22 and 23 March, weather permitting for the Luton Road bridge beam lift. M1 southbound full closure, M1 northbound lane closures.
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 two-way, off-peak traffic lights occasionally in place for day-time work on the B579 Luton Rd near Vauxhall and into Chalton village.
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. Works take place overnight between 8pm and 6am and not at weekends so as to minimise disruption for drivers.
You can stay informed of latest closures and works on our website.
This week we are repairing drainage on the A12 at Colchester between junction 27 and 29, with work expected to be completed by the end of the month. We will be working in both directions under lane closure.
We are reconstructing an embankment north of Colchester at junction 29, with work expected to be completed by early May. The A12 will be closed northbound beneath junction 29 while we are working, with drivers diverted to exit at the junction and re-join on the other side of the works.
A14 Cambridge to Huntingdon major improvements: survey work
We are currently carrying out topographical, drainage, pavement and street lighting surveys. We expect to complete these by the end of March.
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 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.
Lane and/or traffic light closures are currently scheduled on:
- Monday 21 March: A14 eastbound, junction 28 (Swavesey) to junction 29 (Bar Hill)
- Monday 21 and Tuesday 22 March: Hilton Road, Fenstanton there will be two way traffic light closures.
- Tuesday 22 and Wednesday 23 March: M11 northbound (junction 14) / A14 westbound, junction 31 (Girton) to junction 28a (Robins Lane)
- Wednesday 23 March: Robins Lane there will be two way traffic light closures.
- Wednesday 23 March: Ermine Street, Godmanchester there will be two way traffic light closures.
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. Much of the work will be undertaken within lane closures.
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 the end of June. 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.
There will be two weekends where we expect 24 hour closures. Further details of these closures, which are dependent on works progress, will be released closer to the time. Throughout the weekend closures there will be a clearly signed diversion route in place.
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 nearly completed on both sides of the River Chelmer. The earthworks are well advanced either side of the main viaduct structure. Initial off-line pavement surfacing works have been carried out on the embankment. Parapet installation has finished on both the south and north side and footway construction is ongoing.
The surfacing work on the main viaduct is ongoing and construction has begun to the traffic islands at either end.
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.