Improvements at M40 junction 12 move a step closer
Improvements to junction 12 of the M40 moved a step closer today (February 18) with the appointment of a contractor for the upgrades.
The £11.6 million scheme will be constructed by Balfour Beatty Civil Engineering Ltd. Work is set to start this March.
Junction 12 is extremely busy, with queues of up to 1.2 miles forming on the M40 southbound hard shoulder during the morning peak. The new scheme, near Gaydon, aims to cut queuing, boost safety and improve journeys, while unlocking potential economic growth in the area.
Highways Agency project manager Shah Hussain said:
We’ve worked hard with Warwickshire County Council to create complementary schemes to really cut congestion and improve journeys on this busy stretch of the M40.
Our work will stop drivers queuing on the hard shoulder – which creates an unsafe environment – and will boost the capacity of the junction to cope with growth in the foreseeable future.
We will now move forward as quickly as possible with Balfour Beatty to deliver this scheme.
Jonathan Winter, Balfour Beatty managing director for Thames Valley, said:
We are delighted to have been awarded this contract to upgrade junction 12 of the M40. Balfour Beatty has a strong track record of delivering major road schemes, both nationally and in the region, on time and to budget.
Our commitment to building sustainably, engaging with local stakeholders, and employing a local supply chain is key to our success, and we aim to leave a lasting legacy as a thoughtful contractor behind us.
The planned improvements to junction 12 were originally announced by the Chancellor in the 2012 Autumn Statement. The government has committed £11 million to fund the work.
The Highways Agency scheme, in conjunction with the work to create a dual carriageway on the B4451 being undertaken currently by Warwickshire County Council, will greatly add to the capacity of local roads and help support the growing local economy.
Councillor Peter Butlin, Warwickshire County Council’s Cabinet Portfolio Holder for Transport and Planning, said:
The council is pleased the Highways Agency has now awarded this contract for work to improve junction 12 of the M40.
We are currently constructing our own scheme to create a dual carriageway to link the Heritage Motor Museum to the M40. Together with the Highways Agency’s work, this will greatly increase the local road capacity, improve journeys for drivers, and unlock potential growth in local employment and our economy.
Phil Moore and Mike Digger, Traffic Management Advisors for the Safer Roads Partnership in Warwickshire and West Mercia, said:
The Safer Roads Partnership and Warwickshire Police welcome the start of this work which is being carried out to improve the traffic flow of this very busy junction and will ultimately make the road safer for everyone who uses it.
We urge all motorists to exercise caution while the roadworks are in place.
For more information, visit the project website
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