Planned roadworks in the East of England: weekly summary for Monday 3 to Sunday 9 October 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. All our improvement work is carried out with the aim of causing as little disruption as possible.
New work
M40 Banbury: digital sign upgrades
We are upgrading four visual message signs on the M40 between junctions 10 (A42 – Ardley) and 11 (A422 - Banbury). Two of these will be done on Monday 3 October and the other two on Tuesday 4 October. We will be working between 8pm and 5am, with the hard shoulder, left hand lane and central lane closed during this time.
A11 Newmarket: road surface investigations
We are completing investigative work on the A11 southbound exit slip road at junction 38 of the A14 (where drivers keep left to remain on the A11 or carry on to merge with the A14 westbound). We will complete this work overnight on Tuesday 4 October, working between 9pm and 6am. We will close the A11 exit slip road while we are working. Drivers will be directed to continue to join the A14 westbound, exiting at junction 37 (Exning) to take the B1103 Fordham Road south into Newmarket, then the A1304 northeast to return to the junction
A12 Lowestoft: road surface investigations
We are surveying the road surface along the A12 between Great Yarmouth and Lowestoft. This is being done between the Tesco roundabout and Rackhams roundabout, in both directions. This will start at Tesco roundabout on Tuesday 4 October, finishing on Friday 7 October at Rackhams roundabout. This will be done between 8pm and 5am, using lane closures and traffic lights where necessary.
A14 Newmarket: road surface investigations
We are completing investigative work on the A14 between junctions 39 (Kentford) and 44 (Moreton Hall) ahead of possible future improvement work. We will be working between Monday 3 and Monday 10 October, between 9pm and 6am on weeknights only.
We will close the slip roads while we are working on them. When the slip road is closed, there will be a clearly signed diversion route in place where local traffic will use the nearby local roads to leave/join the A14 and heavy traffic will head to the following junction, exit and return in the opposite direction.
The slip roads will be closed as follows:
- junction 41 (Risby) eastbound exit and junction 43 (Bury St Edmunds) eastbound entry on Monday 3 October
- junctions 41 eastbound entry and 43 westbound entry and on Tuesday 4 October
- junction 41 westbound entry and 44 (Moreton Hall) eastbound exit on Wednesday 5 October
- junction 39 (Kentford) eastbound entry on Thursday 6 October
- junctions 42 (Westley) and 44 eastbound entries on Friday 7 October
- junctions 42 and 44 westbound entries on Monday 10 October
A47 Wisbech: road surface investigations
We are working to inspect the road surface of the A47 between Wisbech (junction with the A1101) and Guyhirn (junction with the A141) ahead of possible future improvement work. We will be working overnight on Monday 3 October, between 9pm and 6am. We will close the A47 between the two junctions while we are working. Drivers heading eastbound will be directed to: head south at Guyhirn on the A141;take the A142 at Chatteris; at Ely, take the A10 northbound past Littleport to Downham Market; take the A1122 northbound to Outwell, then; take the A1101 to re-join the A47 at Wisbech. Drivers heading westbound will follow this diversion in reverse.
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. This week we are repairing barriers on the M11 in both directions from Monday 3 to Friday 7 October overnight, using lane closures while we are working between junctions 6 (M25) and 9 (A11). We are also repairing barriers on the A120 in both directions, between junction 8 with the M11 and Braintree (Marks Farm).
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 and A120: structures maintenance
We are carrying out routine maintenance work on bridges crossing the M11 between junctions 6 (M25) and 9 (A11) in both directions. We will also be doing similar work on the A120, between junction 8 with the M11 and Braintree (Marks Farm). These will be done during the day, with the hard shoulder closed while we are working.
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, from Monday 3 to Friday 7 October.
M11: routine maintenance
We will be doing routine maintenance of structures and technology boxes along the M11 during the day. These will be done with a hard shoulder closure, taking place between junctions 6 (M25) and 9 (A11).
M11 and A120 Stansted Airport: road repairs
We are repairing embankments on the M11 as part of a wider package of works which included resurfacing on M11 and A120 and putting in new signs, which commenced earlier this year. 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.
We are 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 be completed by late October.
We are completing drainage repairs on the M11 between junctions 6 (M25) and 7 (Harlow), with the central lane closed in both directions while we are working between 10pm and 5am.
We are completing barrier repair work on the M11 southbound between junctions 10 (Duxford – A505) and 8 (Stansted Airport – Bishop’s Stortford), with the M11 closed while we are working between 10pm and 5am from Tuesday 4 to Saturday 8 October. There will be a clearly signed diversion route in place whereby drivers will take the A505 west to Royston, then the A10 south to Puckerdige, then the A120 east to re-join the M11 at junction 8.
M40: major maintenance
We will be carrying out major maintenance work on the M40, which includes low noise resurfacing and safety barrier repairs between Adwell (near junction 6) and the A40 Oxford spur (junction 8). This work is expected to be completed by mid-December. For further details, please visit: http://www.highways.gov.uk/m40-junction-6-to-8.
This week there will be overnight lane closures northbound from junctions 6 to 8 from Monday 3 to Saturday 8 October, with one lane running each night. Junctions 7 and 8 northbound exit slip roads will also be closed overnight. On Sunday 9 October there will be no overnight lanes or slip road closures. A 50mph speed limit will be in place throughout the works, 24/7.
M40: routine maintenance
We are undertaking routine maintenance on the M40. Works include sweeping, drainage cleaning, litter picking, vegetation cutting, white lining, street lighting maintenance, defect repair (including street lighting defects), inspection of the assets including structures and safety fence repair. We will be working between 10pm and 6am. Unless stated otherwise, these closures will see traffic diverted to continue to the next junction, to exit and return.
This week we are working on the M40 northbound exit and entry slip roads at junction 10 (A43 – Ardley) from Monday 3 to Tuesday 4 October.
We are working on the M40 southbound exit slip road at junction 1 (A40 – Denham) and entry slip road at junction 3 (Loudwater) on Wednesday 5 October. For the junction 1 closure, traffic will be diverted to take the A40 to Swakeleys Roundabout, exit and return to join the M40 at the Denham Roundabout. For the junction 3 closure, traffic will be diverted to take the A40 past Beaconsfield, then the A355 to re-join the M40 at junction 2. Working on the southbound exit and entry slip roads at junction 6 (Lewknor) from Thursday 6 to Friday 7 October.
We are working on the southbound exit and entry slip roads at junction 10 from Friday 7 to Saturday 8 October.
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 we are also working on the A5 northbound between the A4146 Kelly’s Kitchen Roundabout and the A509 Portway Interchange (H5). The left hand lane will be closed while we are working and a 50mph speed limit will be in place.
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 be overnight lane closures on the M1 between junction 11 and 12 for ongoing verge works from Monday 03 to Friday 07 October.
We are also carrying out routine overhead gantry inspections between junction 10 and 13. From Monday 03 to Friday 07 October 2016, there will be overnight off peak lane closures in place on M1 southbound while we inspect gantries between junction 11 and 10.
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 until Friday 7 October where the new road layout changes are introduced.
These changes will include the new roundabout on the A5 being introduced allowing road users to use the roundabout and access Thorn Road from the A5 northbound, and from Thorn Road access to the A5 northbound, A5 north towards Milton Keynes and A5 south towards Dunstable and A505 .
There will be overnight road closures of the A5 between the A505 and Dunstable Road, and Thorn Road in place during the hours of 9pm to 6am on Thursday 6 & Friday 7 October to allow resurfacing and new road layout changes to be completed.
There will be traffic lights overnight on the A5-A505 between 8pm and 6am. There will be off peak temporary traffic lights on local roads.
There will be an overnight road closure of B579 Luton Road in place during the hours of 9pm and 6am on Tuesday 4th October to allow new road markings to be completed.
Cycle improvements schemes in Suffolk, Essex, Norfolk and Bedfordshire
Work is substantially completed on the building or improving of cycle paths at 16 locations across the East of England including on the A12, A120, A47 and A5.
The work included 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 Bentley Drive
There will be no lane restrictions in this area but some works installing thermoplastic pedestrian symbols.
A12 Lowestoft Camden Street / High Street
There is no work planned this week.
A12 Lowestoft – Gunton Church Lane / Hollingsworth
There is no works planned this week.
A12 Lowestoft – Jubilee Way
There is no works planned this week.
A12 Lowestoft – Station Road/Gunton St/Peters Avenue
There is no works planned this week.
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 northbound side of the bridge, with the left hand lane closed. 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 southbound side (including one for the northbound traffic), and one on the northbound side.
A14 Cambridge to Huntingdon major improvements: surveys
We are currently carrying out topographical, drainage, pavement, existing services and street lighting surveys. 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:
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Monday 3 and Tuesday 4 October: Ermine Street, Godmanchester, Buckden Road, Brampton & High street, Boxworth two way traffic light closures (between 9.30am and 3.30pm) - night time: A14 east bound between Spaldwick and junction 21, lane 2 closed. A14 west bound between junction 23 & 22, lane 2 closed
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Tuesday 4 October: night time - A1 north bound between Little Paxton & Brampton lane 1 closed. A1 south bound between Brampton Hut & Buckden lane 1 closed
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Wednesday 5 October to Friday 7 October: Days - Ermine Street, Godmanchester , Buckden Road, Brampton & High street, Boxworth & Offord Road, Offord two way traffic light closures (between 9.30am and 3.30pm). Stop & Go, Kings Hedges Road underpass, Kings Hedges. Nights - A1 north bound between Little Paxton & Brampton 1 lane closed. A1 south bound between Brampton Hut & Buckden 1 lane closed
Saturday 8 October and Sunday 9 October no planned works
Please note the A1198 between Wood Green Animal Shelter and Papworth Everard will be closed from Saturday 22 October 2016 at 8am until Monday 24 October 2016 at 5am to allow the installation of plant crossing points.
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 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 scheme 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.
Demolition works are now substantially completed. Fencing and landscaping works are presently ongoing along with the removal of temporary haul roads.
A428 St Neots to Caxton: road repairs
We are working to repair and improve the A428 between St Neots and Caxton in four separate sections. We will be working on weeknights between 8pm and 6am and expect this work to be finished by November.
Stretches of the A428 will be closed while we are working. Currently we are working between Tithe Farm and Eltisley until Monday 10 October, with the road closed while we are resurfacing it.
When heading westbound, drivers will be diverted to take the A1198 at Caxton Gibbet, at Godmanchester follow the A14 westbound to junction 21, and at Brampton Hut take the A1 southbound and follow the A1 southbound to Wyboston roundabout, where the diversion ends. Drivers heading eastbound will follow this diversion in reverse.
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.