Planned roadworks in the East of England: weekly summary for Monday 16 - Sunday 22 February 2014
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
A5 Milton Keynes: Resurfacing works
We are resurfacing sections of the Southbound A5 in Milton Keynes between its junction with the A442 Abbey Hill Roundabout and the junction with A4146 Brickhill Roundabout. Works will start on Thursday 19 February for two nights. We will work between 8pm and 6am and we will need to close the entry slip road while we complete the works. Traffic wishing to travel South will need to follow a clearly signed diversion route via the A422 Monks Way eastbound, V6 Grafton Street southbound, Watling Street before re-joining the A5 at the A4146 roundabout.
A12 Kelvedon: Pinchpoint average speed camera installation works
We are installing average speed cameras on the A12 in both directions between J22 Coleman’s Interchange Witham and J24 Kelvedon north. These cameras will be used to enforce the 70mph speed limit and improve safety at this location. The works are part of a multi-million ‘Pinchpoint’ improvement programme designed to boost local economies, reduce congestion and improve safety on the strategic road network. The programme is part of the UK’s Government growth initiative, outlined during the chancellor’s Autumn Statement in November 2011. The programme provides smaller scale improvements that can deliver big returns by easing congestion and making journey times more reliable for road users, including hauliers and commuters to help boost local economies and drive economic growth.
We are programmed to start on 16 February and are scheduled to last for 6 weeks. The works will be carried out between 8pm and 6am on weeknights only and we will use lane closures with the occasional slip road closure. By doing this we will reduce disruption for road users.
A12 Ingatestone Bends: Resurfacing works
We are resurfacing a section of the Northbound A12 Near Ingatestone. Works will start on Thursday 19 February for five nights. We will work between 9pm and 5am. To facilitate the works the northbound carriageway will be closed At Junction 12. Traffic wishing to travel north will need to follow a clearly signed diversion route. Non-HGV traffic will exit at Junction 12 and head northbound along the B1002 through Ingatestone before rejoining the A12 at Junction 15 (A414). HGV traffic will be diverted off the A12 at Junction 12 and follow the A1032 Southbound, A129 Eastbound and A132 eastbound towards Wickford, before taking the northbound A130 to the junction with the A12 at Howe Green (Junction 17) via the A422 Monks Way eastbound, V6 Grafton Street southbound, Watling Street before re-joining the A5 at the A4146 roundabout.
A421 Bedford Southern Bypass Westbound: Resurfacing works
We will be undertaking resurfacing works to the westbound carriageway of the A421 Bedford Southern Bypass. Works will involve renewal of the existing road surface. A 24hour speed limit will be in place for safety reasons as working methods will require daytime traffic to run on temporary road surfaces throughout the duration of the scheme. Works are programmed to start during week commencing Monday 16 February and are scheduled to last for five weeks. Works will be undertaken between 8pm and 6am on weeknights. The road will be closed between its junction with the A4280 and its junction with the A6 at Elstow Traffic wishing to travel west will need to follow the clearly signed diversion route along the A4280, Newham Avenue, Longhome Way, A5140 returning to the A421 at the A6 junction at Elstow.
Ongoing work
M11 junctions 10-11, Cambridgeshire: Shelford railway bridge repair works
We are replacing the bridge parapet on the M11 where it crosses the railway at Little Shelford between junctions 10 and 11 in Cambridgeshire. Works will start on Monday 9 February for 10 nights finishing by Friday 20 February. We will work during the day and overnight using hard shoulder closures in both directions during the day and hard shoulder and lane 1 closures in both directions overnight.
A1/A47 Wansford, Peterborough: Pinchpoint junction improvement works
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. These works are part of the government’s £317m pinch point programme, which aims to boost local economies by reducing congestion and delays at key locations. We started the works on Monday 12 January and have scheduled them to finish by the end of March. We are working between 8pm and 6am from Monday to Sunday.
During the week starting Monday 9 February we will carry out works using lane closures controlled by temporary traffic signals.
A1, Black Cat roundabout, Bedfordshire and Cambridgeshire: Improvements
A scheme to ease congestion and improve journey time and safety (part of the Government’s £317m pinchpoint programme, which aims to boost local economies by reducing congestion and delays at key locations) started in June 2014 and, subject to weather conditions, is scheduled to last for approximately eight months. 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 work will normally take place between 7.30am and 5.30pm from Monday to Friday, with occasional night-time road and lane closures. Narrow lanes are currently in place 24 hours a day in both directions and on the roundabout itself.
There will be overnight closures northbound and on the A421 from Monday 16 February from 9.00pm to 6.00am.
During the closures, the A1 will be closed from Blunham to Wyboston with a diversion route leaving at Blunham along Barford Road and rejoining at Wyboston. The A421 will be closed from Cardington Junction with traffic being diverted down the A603 to Sandy roundabout, turning left for A1 North and picking up the northbound diversion. During the road closures only, traffic will only be able to travel along Barford Road Northbound, and its weight restriction will be lifted.
A5-M1 Link (Dunstable Northern Bypass), Bedfordshire: Improvements
This scheme aims to provide a link to the M1 that is an alternative to the movement along the A5 and A505 from the A5/A505 junction to the M1 junction 11. It would reduce journey times and improve journey reliability for strategic traffic currently travelling through Dunstable. It also aims to reduce the number of vehicle and safety related incidents and will support local development plans, economic growth and employment and maximise the return on public investment.
Advanced works started on site in May 2014. Continuation of these works will require some road closures, which will be publicised in advance. These works are important as they will help stay on target for the planned start of the main construction work in spring 2015.
The planned completion date for the project is early 2017. For more information, visit the scheme page.
A5 – H10 northbound exit slip road, Milton Keynes: Resurfacing works
We are resurfacing the northbound exit slip road on the A5 in Milton Keynes at its junction with H10 (Bletcham Way). Works will start on Tuesday 17 February for two nights. We will work between 8pm and 6am and we will need to close the exit slip road while we complete the works. Traffic travelling north on the A5 from the A5/A4146 roundabout (Junction with Brickhill St) will continue along the northbound carriageway and will exit the A5 via the northbound exit slip at the A5/V6 Redmoor Roundabout. The diverted traffic will join the A5 southbound from the A5/V6 Redmoor roundabout via the southbound entry slip road and travel southbound to exit the A5 southbound carriageway via the Junction A5/H10 southbound exit slip road. Here traffic will access the A5/H10 Roundabout where the diversion ends.
A5 – H10 northbound entry slip road, Milton Keynes: Resurfacing works
We are resurfacing the northbound entry slip road on the A5 in Milton Keynes at its junction with H10 (Bletcham Way). Works will start on Tuesday 17 February for two nights. We will work between 8pm and 6am and we will need to close the entry slip road while we complete the works. Traffic wishing to travel north on the A5 will need to take the A5 southbound entry slip road and travel south to the A5 / A4146 Roundabout, before returning northbound on the A5 back to the H10 junction.
A12 J31-33, Suffolk: Improvement works
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 10pm and 6am and weekends between 10pm and 9:30am the works are being carried out under contraflow running with a reduced speed limit. The works should be finished by the end of March.
A12 J11-12, Brentwood, Essex: Improvement works
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. We are working each night between 10pm and 6am and the works are being carried out under contraflow running with a reduced speed limit. The works should be finished by the end of March.
A12 Hughes Corner, near Colchester, Essex: Pinchpoint average speed camera installation works
We are installing average speed cameras on the A12 in both directions at Hughes Corner, near Colchester. These cameras will be used to enforce the 70mph speed limit and improve safety at this location. The works are part of a multi-million ‘Pinchpoint’ improvement programme designed to boost local economies, reduce congestion and improve safety on the strategic road network. The programme is part of the UK’s Government growth initiative, outlined during the chancellor’s Autumn Statement in November 2011. The programme provides smaller scale improvements that can deliver big returns by easing congestion and making journey times more reliable for road users, including hauliers and commuters to help boost local economies and drive economic growth.
We started works on 9 February and have scheduled them to last for 4 weeks. The works will be carried out between 8pm and 6am on weeknights only and we will use the existing contraflow systems which are being used for the on-going A12 improvement works between junctions 31 and 33. By doing this we will reduce disruption for road users.
A14 and A11 Newmarket: Embankment stabilisation works
We will be working to stabilise the embankment alongside the A14 at junction 38 and the A11 near Newmarket. Works started on 2 February and we aim to complete them by 27 February. We will work between 8pm and 6am and we will use lane closures to complete the works.
A14 J37-36 Newmarket: Drainage clearance works
We will be working to clear the drainage system on the central reserve along the A14 westbound between junctions 37 and 36 near Newmarket. Works started on 9 February for 8 nights and we are working between 9pm and 6am. We will use westbound lane closures between junctions 37 and 36 while we carry out the works.
A14 Tostock, Suffolk: Bridge maintenance works
We are carrying out maintenance works on the bridge which carries the A14 over the Tostock Road near A14 junction 46, Tostock, Suffolk. Work started on Monday 26 January and we aim to complete the works in early March. We will work between 8pm and 6am Monday to Sunday and will use lane closures on the A14 with a temporary speed limit of 50mph in both directions past the works. We will also use a lane closure with temporary traffic lights on Tostock Road past the works.
A14 Girton to Histon (junctions 31 to 32): Lane gain scheme
On 14 April 2014 work started 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. This is part inly during the day, with existing lanes narrowed and a 50mph speed limit imposed.
Between Monday 16 February 2015 and Friday 20 February 2015 there will be both an eastbound closure of the A14 between junctions 31-32 and a westbound closure between junctions 32-36. The closures will be effective between 8pm and 6am each evening and clearly signposted local diversions will be in place. For details of the scheme, visit the Highways Agency’s website.
A14 Ipswich: Improvement works
Improvement work started on Monday 9 February on the A14 in Ipswich between junction 49 (Stowupland) and junction 58 (Levington). The scheme which includes resurfacing, drainage renewal, replacing barriers, embankment work and removing defects in the road is due to be completed by Friday 20 March. The work is being carried out in phases:
- the first phase started on Monday (9 February) between junctions 49 and 50 (Stowupland). The eastbound carriageway will be closed for three nights for resurfacing and motorists will be diverted via the A1308 and A1120. At the same time, under lane closures drainage renewal work will be carried out for six nights and central reserve barrier work on the westbound carriageway for three nights.
- the second phase started on Tuesday (10 February) between junctions 51 and 52 (Pesthouse Lane). The eastbound carriageway will be closed for eight nights for resurfacing and motorists will be diverted via Norwich Road and Old Ipswich Road. There will also be works on the westbound exit slip road at junction 52 (Claydon) for resurfacing for three nights from 3 March and motorists will be diverted to junction 51 and back.
A14 Huntingdon: Barrier replacement works
Work to replace sections of the central reservation barrier is being carried out on the A14 between the B660 and Spaldwick and between Brampton and Spittals near Huntingdon. Works started Monday 9 February and are due to finish by the end of March. We will be working between 8pm and 6am and will use lane 2 closures and a temporary speed limit of 40mph for safety reasons.
A47 Peterborough: Bridge repair works
We are carrying out bridge and safety barrier repair works on the A47 at junction 18 (Lincoln Road Interchange) in Peterborough. Works started on Friday 30 January and we aim to finish them by the end of April. For the first phase of the works (approximately six weeks) we are working during the daytime between 8am and 6pm. We are using lane closures in both directions between junctions 17 and 18 with a reduced speed limit of 50mph for this phase of the works. A diversion route is in place for abnormal loads:
- westbound: leave the A47 at junction 15 (Thomas Cook Interchange) and take the A1260 Nene Parkway southbound to the junction with A1139 Fletton Parkway. Take the A1139 northbound to its junction with the A47 junction 20 (Dogsthorpe)
- eastbound: follow above diversion in reverse
A47 Postwick, Norfolk: Postwick Hub junction upgrade
Norfolk County Council started work to upgrade the Postwick Hub junction over the A47 on 12 May 2014. For the duration of the work, there will be an eastbound lane 1 closure and a temporary 50mph speed limit on the A47. In addition, work will require some overnight closures on the A47 from time to time, which will be advertised in advance by the council. Work is due to be completed by winter 2015. For further details, contact Norfolk County Council on 0344 800 8020 or visit Norfolk County Council’s website.
A47 Walsoken, Wisbech, Cambridgeshire: Junction improvements
We are making improvements to the A47 Walsoken / Broad End Road junction by installing new warning signs and renewing road markings at the location. Work should be finished by the end of February 2015. We will work between 8pm and 6am and will use temporary traffic signals to manage traffic.
A138 Chelmer Village Way, Chemsford, Essex: Chelmer Viaduct replacement
Work has started on the first major improvement work on the Chelmer Viaduct in Chelmsford. The advanced works which affected Chelmer Village have finished and the remaining advanced works will continue to be carried out offline with minimal disruption to local residents and businesses. We anticipate the main works will start in February subject to weather conditions and will take approximately 18 months to complete. More details will be announced closer to the time.
A421 Castle Mill viaduct, Bedford: Drainage repair works
We are repairing the drainage on the A421 Castle Mill viaduct south of Bedford and the works should be completed by 13 May. These works will be carried out alongside the A421 Bedford Southern Bypass resurfacing works and we will need to close the A421 westbound between A4280 Goldington Road and A6 Elstow. Road users will leave A421 at the Renhold Junction onto the A4280 Goldington Road, turn left at the traffic lights onto Newnham Avenue. At the roundabout take the second exit onto Longholme Way, to the next roundabout with the A600 (London Road), take the A5140 (Rope Walk), continue along the A6 (Ampthill Road) to the A421.
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 Agency Information Line on 0300 123 5000.
Media enquiries
Journalists should contact the Highways Agency press office on 0844 693 1448 and use the menu to speak to the most appropriate press officer.