Planned roadworks in the East of England: weekly summary for Monday 26 October to Sunday 1 November 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
Bedfordshire improvement work: A5 Hockliffe to Sheep Lane roundabout resurfacing
Work will begin on Monday 26 October on the A5 near Woburn and is expected to finish by 22 January. The first phase will focus on the northern part of the A5 between Hockliffe and Sheep Lane and the A505 roundabout to Tebworth. The work will involve resurfacing, replacing road markings and installing new signing as part of safety improvements at Tebworth Turn.
Work to resurface on A5 northbound and southbound between the A4012 and Woburn Road will take place overnight for 22 nights from Monday 26 October. The work will be carried out between 8pm and 6am and is planned for completion by 28 November. While the road is being resurfaced the A5 between the A5/A505 and A5 Little Brickhill will be closed in both directions and traffic will be diverted via the A505, A4146 and A5. Local residents who require access will be escorted past the roadworks.
A1(M) junction 6 pinch point scheme remedial works
Additional road marking work will take place on the southbound entry slip for motorists joining the A1 northbound main carriageway. The work will be carried out between 9pm and 5am for 3 nights starting on Monday 26 October. During the work the slip road will be closed and a clearly signed diversion route in place using the B197.
Ongoing work
A5 to M1 Link (Dunstable northern bypass), Bedfordshire: major improvements
We are building a new 2.9 mile, 2 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.
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.
In addition, there are 3 way traffic lights at the A5/A505 roundabout, north of Dunstable, weeknights only between 8pm and 6am, to allow construction of the western verge for a cycleway and footway.
Work on local roads
On the A5120 Bedford Road and Sundon Road (east of the M1) there will be 2 way traffic lights on Monday 26, Tuesday 27 and Wednesday 28 October between 9.30am and 3.30pm.
On Luton Road (B579) there will be 2 way traffic lights on Monday 26 October between 10am and 3pm.
Work on the major improvement is due to complete in spring 2017. For more information, visit the scheme page.
A14 junction 41 New Road bridge, Risby, Bury St Edmunds: bridge repairs
Works to resurface the southbound carriageway and replace joints on the New Road bridge over the A14 will take place from 20 October between 8pm and 6am until 28 October. During the work, there will be overnight closures of New Road Bridge and a clearly signposted diversion will be in place.
A14 junction 56 Wherstead, Suffolk: bridge repairs
Works to replace joints and renew road surface near the new joints on the A14 junction bridge at Wherstead will start on 21 October and is expected to complete on 27 October. During the work, there will be overnight closures on the A137 over the A14 at junction 56 between 8pm and 6am. A clearly signposted diversion will be in place.
A14 Cambridge to Huntingdon improvement scheme: topographical surveys
Topographical surveys are being carried out between 19 October 2015 and 19 January 2016. The surveys will take place along the whole of the proposed scheme route, including 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.
Lane closures are currently scheduled overnight on:
- Monday 26, Tuesday 27: A14 between junction 27 (Swavesey) and junction 30 (Dry Drayton)
- Wednesday 28, Thursday 29th October: A14 between junction 28 (Lolworth) and junction 31 (Girton)
- Friday 30, and Monday 2 November: A14 between junction 31 (Girton) and junction 33 (Milton)
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.
Construction of the access road for the viaduct construction traffic is now complete and the pier and abutment construction is well advanced.
The installation of structural steel beams to support the new viaduct over the Chelmer River is completed.
Work to install steel structures on the viaduct approaches has begun and is expected to be completed by 3 November.
All site work is carried out offline so daytime traffic is not affected and steel structure deliveries are all carried out under a special order during the night to minimise disruption.
For further details visit the scheme page.
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.