Planned roadworks in the East of England: weekly summary for Monday 22 August to Sunday 28 August 2016
Planned new and ongoing road improvements over the 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.
New work
M1 Milton Keynes: technology works
We are repairing technology loops, which are used to measure traffic volumes, on the M1 between junctions 13 (A421 – Brogborough) and 14 (A509 – Milton Keynes). We will be working between 10pm and 6am, from Monday 22 to Thursday 25 August, with lanes closed as follows:
From Monday 22 to Wednesday 24 August, one lane of the M1 will be running southbound on the M1 between junctions 14 and 13.
On Wednesday 24 August the junction 14 southbound entry slip road will be closed, with drivers diverted to head northbound to junction 15 (A45 – Northampton), exit and return south.
On Thursday 25 August, one lane of the M1 will be running northbound on the M1 between junctions 13 and 14.
M11: surveys
We will be doing some surveys on the M11 in both directions between junctions 6 (M25) and 8 (Stansted Airport – Bishop’s Stortford) throughout the week. This will be done using lane and hard shoulder closures while we are working, between 8.30pm and 6am.
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.
A14 Bury St Edmunds: road surface surveys
We are surveying the road surface along the A14 from junction 40 (Higham) to 42 (Westley – Bury St Edmunds west) in both directions. This will start at junction 40 on Monday 22 August, finishing on Thursday 25 August. These will be done overnight, using lane closures.
A47 Peterborough: resurfacing
We are working to resurface the A1 and the A47 around Peterborough over the next fortnight. We will be working between 8pm and 6am, with work expected to be completed by Friday 27 August. The road will be closed while we are working, with a clearly signed diversion route in place. This week we are:
Repairing the westbound exit slip road of the A47 at junction 15 on Tuesday 23 August. Drivers will continue on the A47 westbound to Sutton, exit and return east to junction 15.
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 working between 8pm and 5am.
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 Stansted to M25: inspections
We are inspecting the M11 ahead of future improvement works. This work will be inspecting the road surface between junction 6 (M25) and 8 (Stansted Airport and Bishop’s Stortford).
We will be working between 9pm and 6am on weeknights only.
The M11 will be affected as follows:
Lanes/the hard shoulder closed while we are working on the M11 northbound between junctions 7 (Harlow) and 8 from Monday 22 to Wednesday 24 August. This will include the southbound exit-slip road of junction 7 on Wednesday.
Lanes/the hard shoulder closed while we are working on the M11 southbound between junctions 8 and 6 until Thursday 25 August, working on weekdays only.
M11: routine maintenance
We will be doing routine maintenance of structures and technology boxes along the M11 during the day, and also trimming the vegetation back. These will be done with a slow moving hard shoulder closure, taking place between junctions 6 (M25) and 9 (A11).
M11: pothole repair and debris collections
We are continuing to repair potholes and collecting debris overnight throughout the week along the M11. This will be done using a mobile slow-moving lane closure.
M11 and A120 Stansted Airport: road repairs
We are repairing embankments on the M11 as part of a wider package of works which commenced earlier this year and included resurfacing on M11 and A120 and putting in new signs. 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.
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.
Replacing the traffic lights in the central reservation and replacing faulty technology loops at junction 6 (M25). We will be doing this overnight on Thursday 25 August, with the M11 closed here while we are working between 8pm and 6am. Drivers looking to head northbound on the M11 will exit the M25 at junction 25 (A10 – Cheshunt), take the A10 northbound, then the A414 eastbound and then southbound round Harlow to re-join the M11 at junction 7. Drivers heading south will follow this diversion in reverse.
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 early August. 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.
We are currently working on the A14 westbound Huntingdon Rail Viaduct, replacing worn out bridge joints. This week’s work will be as follows:
There will be an overnight road closure on the A14 westbound between junctions 24 (Godmanchester) and 23 (Spittles) from Monday 22 to Friday 26 August. Traffic will be diverted onto the A1195 to Caxton then the A428 westbound to Wyboston, onto the A1 north to Brampton Hut to then re-join the A14.
We are currently working on the A1307 Huntingdon Road Bridge replacing worn out bridge joints and surfacing.
This week’s work will involve:
There will be an overnight road closures on the A1307 inbound across the Huntingdon Road Bridge from Monday 22 to Tuesday 23 August. Traffic for the A1307 inbound will be diverted via the A14 eastbound to junction 32 (Histon) and onto the B1049.
There will be an overnight central lane closure on the A1307 Huntingdon Road outbound from Monday 22 to Tuesday 23 August.
We are currently working on the A14 eastbound and M11 in both directions for traffic counter detector commissioning. This week’s work will involve:
There will be an overnight inside lane closure on the A14 eastbound from junction 27A (Fenstanton) to 28 (Swavesey) from Tuesday 23 to Friday 26 August.
There will be an overnight road closure of the M11 southbound junction 13 (A1303 Madingley) entry slip road from Tuesday 23 to Friday 26 August. Traffic will be diverted on the A1303 Madingley Road to the junction with the A1134, onto the A1134 to the junction with the A603 Barton road, onto the A603 to re-join the M11 at junction 12.
There will be an overnight inside lane closure on the M11 northbound from junction 12 (A603 Grantchester) to 13, with the junction 13 exit slip road closed from Tuesday 23 to Friday 26 August. Traffic will be diverted on to the junction 14 exit slip and onto the A14 (A14) north to east Girton Cloverleaf loop onto the A14 eastbound. There will be an overnight road closure of the M11 northbound on the junction 14 (Girton) exit slip road and also the A14 Girton north to east cloverleaf loop from Wednesday 24 to Friday 26 August. Traffic will be diverted onto the A14 westbound to junction 30 (Oakington) and back onto the A14 eastbound. Traffic will be diverted the junction 14 (Girton) onto the A14 eastbound to junction 32 (Milton), to turn around onto the A14 westbound onto the A428 westbound to the junction with Hardwick. Traffic for Cambridge will follow local signs, while traffic wanting Madingley will turn back onto the A428 eastbound to the Madingley junction.
M40: major maintenance
We will be carrying out major maintenance work on the M40, which includes low noise resurfacing and safety barrier repairs between junction 6 (Lewknor) and 8a (A40). This work is excepted to be completed by mid-December.
The left hand lane will be closed between junctions 6 (Lewknor) and 8 (A40) northbound from Monday 22 to Wednesday 24 August. This is to install speed cameras ahead of some major maintenance works on the same stretch of the M40 happening soon. There will be no closures between Thursday 25 and Tuesday 30 August.
Please see the M40 scheme page for further information.
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 from the A508 Old Stratford Roundabout to the A422 Monks Way Interchange. On Monday 22 and Tuesday 23 August the A5 southbound will be closed while we are working overnight between the two roundabouts, to complete the barrier works and remove the narrow lanes and temporary speed limit from this section. Drivers will be diverted to take Towcester Road, London Road, Queen Eleanor Street, Stratford Road and Great Monks Street (V5) to re-join the A5 southbound at the A422 Monks Way Interchange.
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.
There are planned carriageway closures on the M1 this week:
M1 southbound will be closed between junction 12 and junction 11 on Monday 22 August and Tuesday 23 August between 10pm and 6am. Drivers travelling southbound will be diverted to exit at junction 12 and follow the A5120 through Toddington to Houghton Regis, then left onto The Green, Park Road North, second exit onto Poynters Road and left onto the A505 to the M1 junction 11 and re-join.
M1 northbound will be closed between junction 11 and junction 12 on Wednesday 24 August and Thursday 25 August between 10pm and 6am. Drivers travelling northbound will be diverted to exit at junction 11 follow the A505, right turn at the A5 to A5120 (right turn) and follow A5120 to J12 on the M1 and re-join.
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 two and three way traffic lights in use on local roads, Luton Road, A5120 and B579 throughout to complete the work during day time off-peak hours. There will be the occasional night time lane and road closure to complete verge work and tie-in preparation work.
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
UK Power Network will be working in this area the week commencing 22 August. There will be no traffic management on the A12 but there will be traffic management on London road as there are works to the crossing.
A12 Lowestoft Bentley Drive
There will be traffic management out early in the week commencing the 22 August to complete a reinstatement of the footway. Traffic will be reduced to one lane on the A12 northbound.
A12 Lowestoft Camden Street / High Street
There will be no traffic management out the week commencing 22 August.
A12 Lowestoft – Gunton Church Lane / Hollingsworth
There will be no work taking place this week, although UK Power Network plans to start work at this location in September. The work included 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.
A12 Lowestoft – Jubilee Way
UK Power Network will be working in this area, to complete the cycling scheme, the week commencing 22 August. This will involve lane closures on Jubliee Way (northbound and southbound) and St Peters street (eastbound and westbound).
A12 Lowestoft – Station Road/Gunton St/Peters Avenue
There will be no work taking place this week, although UK Power Network plans to start work at this location in September. The overall work includes the removal of the existing anti-parking measures along the eastern footpath. Operations include, installation of new kerbs, paving, street lighting, signage, and resurfacing to the footway.
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 southbound side of the bridge. The 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.
We have no planned lane closures on the network for next week.
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 King’s Lynn: road surface surveys
We are surveying the road surface along the A47 from New Cut roundabout to Guyhirn roundabout at various locations around King’s Lynn. This will be at Hardwick Interchange, finishing on Monday 23 August. These will be done overnight, using mobile slow-moving hard shoulder or lane closure. Where the A47 is not dual carriageway, traffic lights will be used.
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 the 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 and fencing.
Demolition works started on 23 May on the old structure on both the northern and southern sides working towards the river. This is now substantially complete and work is on-going to clear the debris from site which will be completed by end of August.
Night time traffic management will be in place on the A138 Chelmer Viaduct from 8pm to 5:30am between 22 and 26 August 2016 to facilitate modification works to field entrances.
A428 St Neots to Caxton: road repairs
Work on the A428 is currently postponed for two weeks while work is carried out to repair bridge joints on the A14 Huntingdon Rail Viaduct.
Work on the A428 between St Neots roundabout (junction with the B1428) and the Tesco roundabout (junction with Barford Road), are due to restart week commencing 5th September 2016.
General enquiries
Members of the public should contact the Highways England customer contact centre on 0300 123 5000.
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Journalists should contact the Highways England press office on 0844 693 1448 and use the menu to speak to the most appropriate press officer.