Press release

Planned roadworks in the East of England: weekly summary for Monday 7 to Sunday 13 November 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.

M11: tree planting

There will be hard shoulder closures on the M11 in various locations between junctions 6 (M25) and 9 (A11) for tree planting. This will be done between 9am and 4pm from Monday 7 to Friday 11 November.

Please note this is not the work to reinstate the embankment at Fiddlers Hamlet which is due to start on 14 November.

A12 Withham: road surface surveys

We are surveying the road surface along the A12 southbound between junctions 22 (B1389 – Witham north) and 20B (Hatfield Peveral). This will start at junction 22 on Monday 7 November, finishing on Tuesday 8 November at junction 20B. This will be done between 8pm and 5am, using lane closures, traffic lights and mobile lane closures where appropriate.

A12 Gorleston: road surface surveys

We are surveying the road surface along the A12 in both directions near Gorleston. This will start at A12 Tesco roundabout on Monday 9 November, finishing on Tuesday 10 November at A12 Rackham’s roundabout. This will be done between 8pm and 5am, using lane closures, traffic lights and mobile lane closures where appropriate.

A14 Orwell Bridge: road repairs

We are repairing the road surface on the eastbound approach to Orwell Bridge on the A14. We will start this work on Thursday 11 November, finishing by Saturday 13 November, working between 8pm and 5am. We will need to close the A14 eastbound between junctions 55 (A12 – Copdock Interchange) and 57 (A1189 – Ransomes Europark) while we are working.

When the A14 is closed, there will be a clearly signed diversion route in place. Drivers will be directed to take the A1214 London Road, continue on as it becomes Colchester Road, then take the A1189, the A1156 Felixstowe Road, and re-join the A14 eastbound at junctions 57 and 58.

A14 Fenstanton: central barrier upgrade

We will be working to replace posts and the barrier on the A14 between Junctions 26 (B1040 – Hemingfords) and 27 (Fenstanton). We will be working from Monday 7 to Wednesday 9 November, working between 8pm and 6am.

During this work the central lane of the A14 will be closed in place in both directions with a 40mph speed limit in place during the day for safety while the barrier is upgraded.

A47 Dereham: road repairs

We are repairing the A47 at Bushy Common, Dereham, Hockering and Easton. We will be working overnight between Monday 7 November and Friday 18 November, working between 8pm and 6am on weeknights only. We will close the A47 at each location while we are working. This will be at:

  • Bushy Common on Monday 7 November
  • Dereham from Monday 7 to Friday 11 November
  • Hockering from Tuesday 8 to Wednesday 16 November
  • Easton on Thursday 17 and Friday 18 November

There will be a clearly signed diversion route in place, whereby drivers heading eastbound will be directed to exit the A47 at Swaffham, taking the A1065 north to Fakenham, the A148, the A1067 south east to Norwich, the A140 Norwich Ring Road, and finally the A1074 Dereham Road to rejoin the A47 at Longwater.

Drivers heading westbound will directed to exit the A47 at Norwich, taking the A11 south west from Thickthorn roundabout to Thetford, the A134 north to Mundford, and finally the A1065 north to Swaffham to rejoin the A47. Local traffic will be permitted along the A47 up to the point of the closure, and those needing access to properties through the closure will be able to approach the gateman for further instruction.

A12 junction 31: emergency road repairs

We will be repairing the road following a fuel spill on the A12 between junction 31 (Four Sisters Interchange) and 32b (Bentley Longwood Interchange). The northbound carriageway will be closed from 10pm tomorrow (Saturday 5 November) until 6am on Sunday 6 November. The northbound slip road at junction 32a (Capel North Interchange) will also be closed. Traffic will be diverted via the B1070 at junction 31 to the A137, onto the A14 (westbound) at junction 55 to re-join the A12 at junction 33 Copdock Mill.

Various roads: routine inspections

We are carrying out a programme of routine inspections of electrical and structural equipment across the region, which is planned for completion in spring 2017. This week, we will be inspecting equipment on the:

  • A47 with no impact on road users
  • A1 with no impact on road users

Various roads: barrier repairs

We will continue repairs to 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 7 November to Friday 11 November 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).

Various roads: street lighting inspections

We are carrying out a programme of routine inspections of electrical and structural equipment across the region, which is planned for completion in spring 2017. This week, we will be inspecting equipment on the:

  • A47, with no impact on road users
  • A1, with no impact on road users

M1 Hemel Hempstead: technology repairs

We are working to repair and replace faulty power cables for signage technology on the motorway, including overhead sign lighting, on the M1 between junctions 8 (Hemel Hempstead) and 9 (A5 – Markyate). We are working on weekdays and, if required, some Saturdays. The hard shoulder will be closed while we are working during the day, with lanes closure in place overnight. As part of these scheme works it will be necessary for some of the exit and entry slip roads of junctions 8 and 9 be closed overnight on specific dates, though not simultaneously. Where slip roads are closed, drivers will be diverted to continue on the M1 to the next junction, exit and return to leave the junction from the opposite direction.

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 7 to Friday 11 November.

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 the 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. 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 removing barriers that have been in place for work at junction 8 (Stansted Airport). The M11 southbound is closed overnight between junctions 10 (A505 – Duxford) and 8 while we are working, from 10pm on Sunday 6 November to 5am on Monday 7 November. Drivers will be diverted to take the A505 west to Royston, then the A10 south to Puckeridge, and the A120 east to re-join the M11 at junction 8.

We are removing our traffic management on the M11. The hard shoulder on the M11 will remain closed southbound between junctions 9 (A11) and 8 and northbound between junctions 6 (M25) and 7 until it is removed on Wednesday 9 November. The left hand lane of the northbound exit slip road at junction 7 is also closed overnight on Tuesday 8 and Wednesday 9 November. We expect this traffic management to have been lifted by Thursday 10 November.

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 the end of the year. For further details, please visit the M40 scheme page.

This week there will be three lanes open to drivers during the day with this reduced to one overnight on the M40 southbound while we are working.

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:

  • slip roads at junction 9 (A34 – A41 – Bicester), northbound on Monday 7 and southbound on Tuesday 8 November
  • slip roads at junction 4 (A4010 – High Wycombe), northbound on Thursday 10 and southbound on Friday 11 November

From Saturday 12 to Monday 14 November, we will be working on the:

  • M40 northbound and the slip roads at junction 6 (Lewknor)
  • M40 slip roads at junction 7 (A329 – Moreton)
  • Oxford spur and the A40 slip roads from the M40 diverge point at junction 8 to the A418
  • northbound exit slip road and southbound entry slip road at junction 8A

Traffic will be diverted to exit at junction 6, taking the A4009, the A40 London Road and the A418 to rejoin the M40 at junction 8A.

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 working on the A5 southbound between the A509 Portway Interchange (H5) and A4146 Kelly’s Kitchen Roundabout. The left hand lane is closed while we are working and a 50mph speed limit is in place.

We are also working on the A5 northbound between the A421 Redmoor Roundabout (H9) and the A422 Abbey Hill Roundabout (H3). On Monday 7 and Tuesday 8 November, the A5 will be closed between the two roundabouts while we are working overnight. Drivers will be diverted to take V6 to re-join the A5 northbound via the A422 Abbey Hill Roundabout (H3). On Wednesday 9 to Friday 11 November the left hand lane is closed while we are working and a 50mph speed limit is in place

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 10 and 12 for ongoing gantry, verge and central reserve works from Monday 7 November to Sunday 13 November.

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. 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.

From Monday 7 November to Sunday 13 November there will be traffic lights overnight on the A5-A505 between 8pm and 6am for safety barrier installation work. There will be off-peak temporary traffic lights on local roads and A505 between 9.30am and 3.30pm for verge and safety barrier work.

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 – Station Road/Gunton St/Peters Avenue

There will be off-peak two and three-way traffic lights for UKPN work to connect street lighting.

A14 Bury St Edmunds: barrier repairs

We are repairing the barriers of the A14 as it passes through Risby, between Newmarket and Bury St Edmunds. We will be working until Friday 4 November, between 8pm and 6am. To keep road users at a safe distance from the works, we will close the central lane of the A14 in both passing junction 41 (Risby) while we are working, and have a 40mph speed limit in place throughout the duration of the works.

A14 Cambridge to Huntingdon, Cambridgeshire: major improvements

Early preparatory construction work on the A14 Cambridge to Huntingdon scheme has been underway for a number of months.

Between now and the end of 2016 we are carrying out a variety of tasks which will require us to close lanes / carriageway on the A1, A14 and some of the side roads. The work we will be doing will include

  • creating strengthened crossing points for site vehicles on a number of the side roads; these are called plant crossings
  • installing access points to our construction compounds
  • taking core samples of the existing trunk roads to enable appropriate design and construction
  • clearing the site of vegetation which is adjacent to the live carriageway

Wherever possible, work will take place at night (usually between 8pm and 6am) to minimise disruption to traffic.

Lane or carriageway closures are currently planned for:

Monday 7 November

A1307 Huntingdon Road, Cambridge, there will be an overnight lane one closure.

Monday 7 November to Tuesday 8 November

A14 westbound, junction 34 (Fen Ditton) to junction 31(Girton), there will be an overnight lane one closure.

Tuesday 8 November

At Bar Hill there will be two way traffic light closures toward Longstanton between 9.30am and 3.30pm

Monday 7 November to Thursday 10 November

High Street, Boxworth there will be two way traffic light closures between 9.30am and 3.30pm.

Buckden Road, Brampton there will be two way traffic light closures between 9.30am and 3.30pm.

On the A1 southbound, junction 15 (Sawtry) to junction 14 (Huntingdon) there will be overnight closures of three lanes.

On the A1 southbound, junction 14 (Huntingdon/Alconbury) to Brampton Hut will be closed overnight.

M11 northbound, junction 14 (Girton) there will be an overnight lane one closure.

A14 eastbound, junction 29 (Bar Hill) to junction 30 (Dry Drayton) there will be an overnight lane one closure.

A14 westbound, junction 31 (Girton) there will be an overnight lane one closure.

Wednesday 9 November to Thursday 10 November

Offord Road (between Offord Cluny and Godmanchester) there will be four way traffic light closures (between 9.30am and 3.30pm).

A14 westbound, junction 32 (Histon) to junction 31(Girton) there will be an overnight lane closure.

Friday 11 November

High Street, Boxworth there will be two way traffic light closures between 9.30am and 3.30pm.

Buckden Road, Brampton there will be two way traffic light closures between 9.30am and 3.30pm.

Offord Road, between Offord Cluny and Godmanchester, there will be four way traffic light closures between 9.30am and 3.30pm.

A14 eastbound, junction 29 (Bar Hill) to junction 30 (Dry Drayton) there will be an overnight lane one closure.

A14 westbound, junction 31 (Girton) to Madingley, there will be an overnight lane one closure.

A14 Cambridgeshire: drainage repairs

We are undertaking investigations and repairs to the drainage system of the A14 between junctions 32 (Girton – M11 interchange) and 35 (Stoke cum Quy). We will be working off the road during the day clearing vegetation and re-profiling drainage ditches. There will be lane closures and slip road closures between 8pm and 6am while we are working overnight, with all works on weekdays only.

This week we are working on the A14 in both directions with the central lane closed between junctions 32 and 33.

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 Peterborough County Council website.

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.

Demolition works are now substantially completed. Fencing and landscaping works are presently ongoing along with the removal of temporary haul roads.

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 7 November 2016