Press release

Planned roadworks in the East of England: weekly summary for Monday 4 – Sunday 10 May 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.

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New work

A5 Chalk Hill, Dunstable: Footway resurfacing

Work to resurface the footway along the A5 at Chalk Hill near Dunstable will take place overnight for four nights from Tuesday 5 May. The work will be carried out between 8pm and 6am and is planned for completion by Friday 8 May. During the work there will be a lane closure on the A5 past the work controlled by temporary traffic signals.

A14 Spaldwick to Leighton Bromswold westbound: Barrier replacement

Work to replace sections of the central reservation barrier is being carried out on the westbound A14 between Spaldwick and Leighton Bromswold west of the A1. Work is due to start in mid-May and finish by mid-June. We will be working between 8pm and 6am and will use lane 2 closures overnight, as well as a narrow lane 2 and a temporary speed limit of 40mph for safety reasons 24 hours a day.

A47 Wansford, Peterborough: Barrier repairs

Work to carry out barrier repairs on the A47 at Wansford near Peterborough will take place overnight for one night on Saturday 9 May. The work will take place between 9pm and 6am. During the work there will be a full closure of the A47 in both directions at Wansford roundabout. A diversion will be clearly signposted directing road users to travel via A1, A1139 and A1260.

Ongoing work

A1, Black Cat roundabout, Bedfordshire and Cambridgeshire: Improvements

Work to ease congestion and improve journey time and safety on the A1 at the Black Cat Roundabout started in June 2014. 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 improved roundabout opened to traffic last week and the traffic signals are now fully operational. We will remain on site to check the traffic signals are working with the flow of traffic and to complete some finishing off works using overnight closures, weeknights only. There will be no closures over the next week.

A1/A47 Wansford, Peterborough: Pinch Point junction improvements

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. From Tuesday 5 May until Friday 8 May there will be lane closures controlled by temporary traffic signals. For more information, visit the road project web page.

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. Advance works started on site in May 2014 and main construction work is progressing. These works will require some road closures, which will be publicised in advance.

Work on the major improvement is due to complete in spring 2017. For more information, visit the road project web page.

To view the display boards from the two public exhibitions and a fly through visualisation of the proposed scheme, visit the exhibition web page.

A12 J31-33, Suffolk: Improvements

We are in the second phase of works to improve the road network on the A12 between junction 31 (Four Sisters Interchange) and junction 33 (Copdock Interchange). We are resurfacing the carriageway and renewing road markings, repairing barriers and drainage systems and improving lighting and embankments within these works. We are working each night between 9pm and 6am and weekends between 9pm and 8am. During the week starting 4 May, there will be overnight closures on 5 May on the northbound carriageway and a southbound closure on 7 May. A clearly signed diversion route will be in place via the A14, A137 and B1070. A contraflow will be in operation on other nights.

A12 J11-12, Brentwood, Essex: Improvements

We are in the second phase of works to improve the road network on the A12 in both directions between junction 11 (for M25) and junction 12 (for A1023 Chelmsford Road). We are resurfacing the carriageway and renewing road markings, repairing barriers and drainage systems and improving lighting and embankments within these works. During the week starting 4 May, there will be a contraflow on the northbound carriageway.

A14 Tostock, Bury St Edmunds: embankment stabilisation works

Work to stabilise the embankment along the A14 near Tostock, Bury St Edmunds is being carried out overnight for 19 nights from Monday 20 April. The work is being carried out between 8pm and 6am Monday to Friday and is planned for completion by Friday 15 May. During the work there will be a lane closure past the works and a temporary speed limit of 50mph.

A14 Girton to Histon (junctions 31 to 32): Lane gain scheme

Work 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 was completed on Friday 10 April, with all three lanes in both directions now open with a reduced speed limit of 50mph.

Finishing off works, which include landscaping, street lighting and fully resurfacing the road between junctions 31 and 32 (which will require overnight closures), should be completed by early June.

Between Monday 4 and Friday 9 May, the eastbound A14 between junction 31-32 and the westbound access to the A14 at both junctions 36 and 32 will be closed overnight between 8pm and 6am. Diversions will be clearly signposted. For details of the scheme, visit the road project web page.

A14 Huntingdon: Barrier replacement

Work to replace sections of the central reservation barrier is being carried out on the A14 Brampton and Spittals near Huntingdon. Works started Monday 9 February and are due to finish by mid-May. We are working between 8pm and 6am and will use lane 2 closures and a temporary speed limit of 40mph for safety reasons 24 hours a day.

A47 Peterborough: Bridge repairs

Work to carry out bridge and safety barrier repair works is continuing on the A47 at junction 18 (Lincoln Road Interchange) in Peterborough. The work is being carried out between 8am and 6pm and is scheduled to finish in May. During the works there will be a lane closure in both directions between junctions 17 and 18 with a temporary 50mph speed limit. A diversion will be clearly signposted for abnormal loads directing westbound traffic off the A47 at junction 15 (Thomas Cook Interchange) along the A1260 Nene Parkway southbound to the junction with A1139 Fletton Parkway before taking the A1139 northbound to its junction with the A47 junction 20 (Dogsthorpe). Eastbound traffic will follow this diversion in reverse.

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. There will be a single-lane closure on the southbound carriageway on the approach to the Army and Navy roundabout on Wednesday 6 May and Thursday 7 May overnight between 8pm and 6am. Construction of the access road for the viaduct construction traffic has started and drainage, pipe-laying work and the reinforcement of the existing embankment is now due to begin. All site work will be carried out off-line and daytime traffic will not be affected. For further details of the scheme, visit the road project web page.

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 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 1 May 2015