Press release

Planned roadworks in the East of England: weekly summary for Monday 23 to Sunday 29 May 2016

Planned new and ongoing road improvements over the coming week.

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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

M11: general maintenance

This week we will be doing numerous maintenance works along the M11 including:

  • litter picking between junctions 8 (Stansted Airport) and 6 (M25) in both directions throughout the day, with a mobile slow moving hard shoulder closure in place while we are working
  • renewing equipment between junctions 9 (A11) and 8 during the day, with the hard shoulder closed while we are working
  • repairing the crash barrier on the verge between junction 7 (Harlow) and 8 on the M11 northbound during the day, with the hard shoulder closed while we are working
  • repairing the crash barrier in the central reservation of the M11 northbound between junctions 6 and 7 overnight, with the right hand lane closed while we are working
  • sweeping channels in the hard shoulder of the M11 southbound between junction 9 and 8

M1, M11 and A1(M): litter clearance

We will be litter picking along the M1, the M11 and the A1(M) throughout the week, with a mobile slow-moving hard shoulder closure in place while we are working.

A12 and A120: weed spraying

We will be spraying for weeds in the central reservation of the A12 in both directions on Monday 23 and Tuesday 24 May, with a mobile slow moving lane closure in place in the right hand lane. We will also be spraying for weeds in the central reservation of the A120 in both directions on Monday 23 24 May, with a mobile slow moving lane closure in place in the right hand lane.

A12 and A14: barrier repairs

We are doing various crash barrier repairs throughout the week in various locations on the A12 and A14, with lane closures in place while we are working.

A47 and A120: gully clearing

We are emptying gullies along various stretches of the A47 and A120 throughout the week, with lane closures in place while we are working.

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.

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 July. 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.

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 working on the A428 eastbound from Madingley to Girton – the right hand lane is chicaned off before drivers are directed to drive in it with the left lane closed for works. There is a 50mph speed limit and 2.9 metre (9ft 6in) width restriction that will remain in place 24 hours a day.

We are repairing the joints on the Cambridge Road bridge where it crosses the A428 by Madingley. Cambridge Road will be closed in both directions at the bridge and we will be working between 09:30 and 15:30. Drivers will be diverted along Cambridge Road, Church Lane, St Neots Road (A1303) and then back onto Cambridge Road.

M40: 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, repainting 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 southbound exit and entry slip roads at junction 11 (Banbury). We will be working from Monday 23 to Tuesday 24 May. There will be a clearly signed diversion route in place while we are working, with drivers looking to leave the M40 continue southbound to junction 10 (A43 Ardley), exit and return northbound to junction 11. Drivers looking to join the M40 will take the M40 north to junction 12 (Gaydon), exiting and returning southbound to junction 11.

We are working on the M40 northbound exit and entry slip roads at junction 5 (A40 Stokenchurch). We will be working from Tuesday 24 to Wednesday 25 May. There will be a clearly signed diversion route in place while we are working, with drivers looking to leave the M40 will continue north to junction 6 (Lewknor), leaving and returning southbound to junction 5. Drivers looking to join the M40 will take the M40 south to junction 4 (A404 High Wycombe), leaving and returning northbound to junction 5.

We are working on the M40 southbound exit and entry slip roads at junction 5 (A40 Stokenchurch). We will be working from Wednesday 25 to Thursday 26 May. There will be a clearly signed diversion route in place while we are working, with drivers looking to leave the M40 will continue south to junction 4 (A404 High Wycombe), leaving and returning northbound to junction 5. Drivers looking to join the M40 will take the M40 north to junction 6 (Lewknor), leaving and returning southbound to junction 5.

We are working on the M40 southbound exit and entry slip roads at junction at junction 9 (A41 Bicester). We will be working from Thursday 26 to Friday 27 May. There will be a clearly signed diversion route in place while we are working, with drivers looking to leave the M40 will continue south to junction 8A (A418 Waterstock), leave and return north to junction 9. Drivers looking to join the M40 will take the M40 north to junction 10 (A43 Ardley), exit and return southbound to junction 9.

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 temporary puffin crossing will continue until late May. We will need to return at a later date with UKPN to complete the signal work and resurface related sections. We are currently working with UKPN to programme this. 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.

A12 Lowestoft Camden Street/High Street

Work to the existing eastern footpath on A12 Jubilee Way between St Margaret’s Street and Camden Street will take place this week will continue until late May.We will need to return at a later date with UK Power Network to complete the signal work and resurface sections. We are currently working with UK Power Network to programme this. 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.

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 continue until May. We will have to return at a later date to finish electrical elements and minor resurfacing. The work includes 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.

A12 Witham to Marks Tey

Works to the existing northern footpath on the A12 between Witham & Marks Tey and A1304 through Kelvedon will last until early June. 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 8pm and 5am.

A12 Lowestoft – Bentley Drive/Foxburrow Hill roundabout

No work to the to the existing eastern and western footpaths on A12 Yarmouth Road between Foxburrow Hill Roundabout and Foxes Walk will take place this week. We will have to return at a later date to finish electrical elements and minor resurfacing. 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. On 9 May there will be one night closure between 6.30pm and 7am to install traffic loops.

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 will last until June. We will have to return at a later date to finish electrical elements and minor resurfacing. We are working with UK Power Network to programme this. 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. From 9 May to 11 May there will be night time closure on Adrian Road between 7pm and 6am for crossing installation.

A12 Lowestoft – Jubilee Way

Work to the existing western and northern arm of the Jubilee Way St Peters Street Roundabout. Work will continue until late May and we will have to return at a later date to finish electrical elements and minor resurfacing. We are working with UK Power Network to programme this. The work includes the widening of the existing western footpath and the installation of a new toucan crossing on the northern arm of the roundabout. Operations include full depth construction, installation of new kerbs, paving, street lighting, signage, and resurfacing and road markings to the approaches. Work will be carried out under off peak lane closures between 9:30am and 3:30pm.

A12 Lowestoft – Station Road/Gunton St/Peters Avenue

Work to the eastern footpath on A12 Yarmouth Road between Station Road and St Peters Street will continue until late May. We will have to return at a later date to finish electrical elements and minor resurfacing. We are working with UK Power Network to programme this.

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. Work will be carried out under off peak lane closures between the hours of 9.30am and 3.30pm. Once UK Power Network has completed their work we will then have some resurfacing to complete.

A1 and A47 Peterborough: road repairs

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 May. 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 Monday 23 May. Drivers will continue on the A47 westbound to Sutton, exit and return east to exit at junction 15.

We are repairing the A47 Soke Parkway eastbound between junctions 15 and Hodney Road Roundabout on Tuesday 24 May, with the A47 closed eastbound between Thomas Cook interchange and Hodney Road Roundabout while we are working. Drivers will diverted off at the Thomas Cook interchange to head south along the A1260 and then east on the A1139 to the Hodney Road roundabout, where they will re-join the A47.

We are repairing the A47 Soke Parkway at junction 20 (Dogsthorpe Roundabout) from Wednesday 25 to Thursday 26 May. The exit slip roads (north and south) for the A15 at junction 20 will also be closed as part of this work. The A47 will be closed westbound between Hodney Road Roundabout and junction 15 and eastbound between junctions 15 and Hodney Road roundabout while we are working. Westbound drivers will be diverted off at the Hodney Road roundabout to head west on the A1139 then north on the A1260 to rejoin the A47 at the Thomas Cook Interchange. Eastbound drivers will be diverted off at the Thomas Cook Interchange on the A47, take the A1260 south and then the A1139 east to re-join the A47 at Hodney Road roundabout. Drivers affected by the A15 slip road closures will head southbound to the A1139 and follow the above diversions from there.

A5 Milton Keynes: barrier replacement

We will soon be replacing the crash barrier in central reservation everywhere it protects bridge piers along the A5 as it passes through Milton Keynes. Currently there are just layby closures in place as we prepare for the main works.

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.

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 daytime work on the B579 Luton Rd near Vauxhall and into Chalton village.

There will be two way, off peak traffic lights occasionally in place for daytime work on the A5120 between Thorn Road and Tebworth Road.

A11 Red Lodge: layby improvements

We are working to improve safety on the A11 at the northbound layby near Red Lodge by bringing the entry and exits up to current standards. The works also include resurfacing the layby and approximately 350 metres of the inside lane of the A11. We will soon be having overnight road closures with clearly signed diversions in place to complete this work. Currently we are just working in the layby without disrupting traffic.

A14 Cambridge to Huntingdon major improvements: survey work

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.

Surveys are currently scheduled for:

  • Monday 23 May: A1 northbound, Brampton Hut to Alconbury - lane one closure.
  • Monday 23 to Wednesday 25 May: M11 northbound/A14 westbound junction 14 (Girton) to junction 28 (Cambridge services, Boxworth) - lane one closure.
  • Thursday 26 to Friday 27 May: no work due to bank holiday weekend.

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 July. 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. For a short section of this there is a 20mph speed limit while drivers pass over the ramps. Currently we are working on the westbound carriageway of the A14, which will be closed overnight while we are working during the week and 24 hours throughout the weekend. Due to this, contraflow will be running on the eastbound carriageway with traffic able to continue travelling in either direction, but only in one lane while passing our works.

A138 Chelmer Village, Chelmsford, Essex: Chelmer viaduct replacement

The new viaduct structure opened to traffic on Monday 18 April 2016.

Works are now ongoing under the structure to facilitate installation of grass cell and prepare permanent maintenance roads and fencing.

Work is also underway to facilitate demolition of the old structure which includes removal of existing services and preparation for the subsequent earthworks and demolition. This includes the implementation of temporary protection measures to existing services during demolition. Demolition will be independent from the new structure and will not impact traffic flows.

A428 Madingley Road: resurfacing

We are repairing and maintaining the A428 at the Cambridge Road Bridge by Madingley, working from 8pm to 6am. We expect this work to be completed by July. To keep road users at a safe distance from the works, we have a lane closed eastbound with barriers, a 50mph speed limit and a 9ft 6in width restriction. This lane closure is in place 24/7 for the duration of the works from Cambridge Road and Madingley to the A1303.

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 23 May 2016