Planned roadworks in the East of England: weekly summary for Monday 26 January - Sunday 1 February 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.
New Work
A12 junction 18 northbound entry slip road, Sandon, Essex: resurfacing works
We are resurfacing the northbound entry slip road on the A12 at junction 18 near Sandon in Essex. We will also renew road markings and studs at this location. Works will start on Monday 26 January for 5 nights and we will be working between 8pm and 5am. We will need to close the northbound entry slip road and road users wishing to join the A12 northbound will be diverted onto the A12 southbound towards junction 17. At junction 17 traffic will be instructed to leave the A12 taking the fourth exit on the roundabout at the end of the exit slip followed by the third exit on the next roundabout, re-joining the A12 northbound.
A14 J47 Crossways overbridge, Ixworth, Suffolk: bridge joint repair works
We are repairing the bridge joints on the A1088 Crossways over bridge where it passes over the A14 at junction 47 (Ixworth Interchange), Suffolk. Works start on Sunday 25 January and should be completed by 8 February. We will work between 8pm and 6am and will need to close the A1088 over the A14 during working hours. Traffic will be diverted onto the A14 westbound at junction 47 towards junction 45 (Blackthorpe) before being diverted eastbound back along the A14 to leave at junction 47.
A14 Tostock, Suffolk: bridge maintenance works
We are carrying out maintenance works on the bridge which carries the A14 over the Tostock Road near A14 junction 46, Tostock, Suffolk. Works will start on Monday 26 January and we aim to complete the works in early March. We will work between 8pm and 6am Monday to Sunday and will use lane closures on the A14 with a temporary speed limit of 50mph in both directions past the works. We will also use a lane closure with temporary traffic lights on Tostock Road past the works.
A47 Peterborough: bridge repair works
We are carrying out bridge and safety barrier repair works on the A47 at junction 18 (Lincoln Road Interchange) in Peterborough. Works start on Friday 30 January and we aim to finish them by the end of April. For the first phase of the works (approximately six weeks) we will work during the daytime between 8am and 6pm. We will use lane closures in both directions between junctions 17 and 18 with a reduced speed limit of 50mph for this phase of the works. A diversion route will be in place for abnormal loads: Westbound: Leave the A47 at junction 15 (Thomas Cook Interchange) and take the A1260 Nene Parkway southbound to the junction with A1139 Fletton Parkway. Take the A1139 northbound to its junction with the A47 junction 20 (Dogsthorpe).
Eastbound: Follow above diversion in reverse.
A47 Guyhirn to Redmoor, Cambridgeshire: safety improvement works
We are installing junction warning signs on the A47 between Guyhirn and Redmoor near Wisbech, Cambridgeshire. The works will be carried out on Friday 30 January for one night and we will be working between 8pm and 6am using lane closures controlled by temporary traffic signals.
A421 Cardington Cross, Bedford: bridge repair works
In addition to the above works we are repairing bridge joints and stabilise the embankment on the A421 at Cardington Cross south of Bedford. We are working between 8pm and 6am on weeknights only and the works should be completed by 6 February. Road users will be diverted off the A421 at the Cardington Cross junction and back on to the A421 following the junction.
A421 Castle Mill viaduct, Bedford: drainage repair works
We are also repairing the drainage on the A421 Castle Mill viaduct south of Bedford. These works 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.
A421 Bedford Southern Bypass westbound: Resurfacing and drainage clearance works
Work to resurface the eastbound carriageway on the A421 Bedford Southern Bypass is almost complete. We are replacing worn out carriageway, road markings and road studs, as well as clearing drainage at this location. Westbound work starts on Monday 26 January and we plan to finish them by the end of March. We will be working between 8pm and 6am on weeknights only. To keep road users at a safe distance from the works 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.
We will remove the traffic management during the daytime, and traffic will run on the A421 on a milled surface, with a temporary 40mph speed limit. Our intention is to better deliver a road surface that has fewer joints reducing maintenance works in the future.
The operations should also reduce the duration of the works compared with using the traditional method.
Ongoing Work
A1 / A47 Wansford, Peterborough: Pinch Point junction improvement works
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. These works are part of the Government’s £317m pinch point programme, which aims to boost local economies by reducing congestion and delays at key locations. We started the works on Monday 12 January and have scheduled them to finish by the end of February. We are working between 8pm and 6am from Monday to Sunday.
During the week from Monday 26 January until Sunday 1 February we will need to close the A47 in both directions between the western roundabout and the eastern roundabout.
Diversions will be as follows:
A47 eastbound closed between western roundabout and eastern roundabout – diversion A1 northbound to Carpenters Lodge Interchange, Stamford before returning southbound on A1 to Wansford.
A47 westbound closed between eastern roundabout and western roundabout – diversion A1 southbound to Stibbington Interchange before returning northbound on A1 to Wansford
A1, Black Cat roundabout, Bedfordshire and Cambridgeshire: Improvements
A scheme to ease congestion and improve journey time and safety (part of the Government’s £317m pinch point programme, which aims to boost local economies by reducing congestion and delays at key locations) started in June 2014 and subject to weather conditions, is scheduled to last for approximately 8 months. 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 work will normally take place between 7.30am and 5.30pm from Monday to Friday, with occasional night time road and lane closures.
Narrow lanes are currently in place 24 hours a day in both directions and on the roundabout itself.
From Monday 26th January to Friday 30th January, from 9pm until 6am, each night, the A1 southbound will be completely closed to carry out surfacing works. The diversion will be via the Wyboston/A428 interchange and Barford Road rejoining the A1 at Tempsford. During the road closures only, traffic will only be able to travel along Barford Road southbound, and its weight restriction will be lifted temporarily.
There will also be various single lane closures between 26th and 31st January on both north and southbound A1 and A421.
A5-M1 Link (Dunstable Northern Bypass), Bedfordshire: Improvements
This scheme aims to provide a link to the M1 that is an alternative to the movement along the A5 and A505 from the A5/A505 junction to the M1 Junction 11. It would reduce journey times and improve journey reliability for strategic traffic currently travelling through Dunstable. It also aims to reduce the number of vehicle and safety related incidents and will support local development plans, economic growth and employment and maximise the return on public investment.
Advanced works started on site in May 2014. Continuation of these works will require some road closures, which will be publicised in advance. These works are important as they will help stay on target for the planned start of the main construction work in spring 2015.
The planned completion date for the project is early 2017. For more information, visit http://www.highways.gov.uk/roads/road-projects/A5-M1-Link-Dunstable-Northern-Bypass
A11 Fiveways to Thetford, Suffolk: Major upgrade
The A11 Fiveways to Thetford dualling and improvement scheme was fully opened to traffic on Friday 12 December 2014. Please note that there will be finishing works taking place over the coming weeks.
For further details of this scheme, visit: http://www.highways.gov.uk/roads/road-projects/a11-fiveways-to-thetford-improvement/
A12 Lowestoft, Suffolk: resurfacing works
We are resurfacing the carriageway and renewing road markings on the A12 in both directions between St Peters Street and Station Square in Lowestoft. Works will start on Monday 19 January and we have scheduled them to finish by Friday 6 February. We will work between 8pm and 6am on weeknights only. To keep road users at a safe distance from the works we will need to close the A12 in both directions between St Peters Street and Station Square. Southbound traffic will be diverted along St Peters Street, Katwijk Way and Denmark Road; northbound traffic will follow this diversion in reverse. We will maintain access to businesses and residents adjacent to the works by escorting them through the works where it is safe to do so.
A14 Girton to Histon (junctions 31 to 32): Lane gain scheme
On 14 April 2014 work started 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. This is part inly during the day, with existing lanes narrowed and a 50mph speed limit imposed. Between Monday 26 January 2015 and Friday 30th January 2015 there will be an Eastbound closure of the A14 between junctions 31-32 and a Westbound closure between junctions 32-36. The closures will both be effective between 20:00hrs and 06:00hrs each evening and local diversions will be in place.
Closures and diversions via the M11, A11 and A505 will be well sign posted and details can be seen on the Highways Agency website - http://www.highways.gov.uk/roads/road-projects/A14-Junction-31-to-32-Eastbound-and-Westbound-Improvements.
A47 Kings Lynn, Norfolk: drainage repair works
We are cleaning and making repairs to the drainage system alongside the A47 in both directions between the Great Ouse Bridge and the Nar Ouse Way Interchange. Works will start on Monday 19 January and should be completed by Friday 30 January. We will work between 8pm and 6am Monday to Sunday and will use lane closures to complete the works safely.
A47 Postwick, Norfolk: Postwick Hub junction upgrade
Norfolk County Council started work to upgrade the Postwick Hub junction over the A47 on 12 May 2014. For the duration of the work, there will be an eastbound lane 1 closure and a temporary 50mph speed limit on the A47. In addition, work will require some overnight closures on the A47 from time to time, which will be advertised in advance by the council. Work is due to be completed by winter 2015. For further details, contact Norfolk County Council on 0344 800 8020 or visit www.norfolk.gov.uk.
A47 Walsoken, Wisbech, Cambridgeshire: junction improvements
We are making improvements to the A47 Walsoken / Broad End Road junction by installing new warning signs and renewing road markings at the location. Work should be finished by the end of February 2015. We will work between 8pm and 6am and will use temporary traffic signals to manage traffic.
A120 Little Bentley, Essex: Pellens Corner Average Speed Cameras
Works commenced in October to provide a series of average speed cameras along a stretch of the A120. Works are programmed for completion in January 2015.
A421 Cardington Cross, Bedford: bridge repair works
We are carrying out works to repair bridge joints and stabilise the embankment on the A421 at Cardington Cross south of Bedford. We are working between 8pm and 6am on weeknights only and the works should be completed by 6 February. To keep road users at a safe distance from the works 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 Agency Information Line on 0300 123 5000.
Media enquiries
Journalists should contact the Highways Agency press office on 0844 693 1448 and use the menu to speak to the most appropriate press officer.