Planned roadworks in the East of England: weekly summary for Monday 29 August to Sunday 4 September 2016
Summary of the 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.
Please note that over 370 miles of roadworks will be lifted or completed on motorways and major A roads across England to help families have smoother journeys over the August bank holiday weekend.
For more information, visit our web page.
New work
M1 Milton Keynes: technology works
We are repairing technology loops, which are used to measure traffic volumes, on the M1 between junctions 12 (Toddington) and 13 (A421 – Brogborough) on Wednesday 31 August. We will be working between 10pm and 5am, with the left and centre lane closed and traffic running in the central lane.
A12 Gorleston to Great Yarmouth: road surface surveys
We are surveying the road surface along the A12 from Gorleston to Great Yarmouth in both directions. This will start at Links Roundabout on Tuesday 31 August, finishing on Friday 2 September at Victoria End. These will be done between 8pm and 5am, using mobile lane closures and traffic lights where necessary.
A14 Bury St Edmunds: road surface surveys
We are surveying the road surface along the A14 from junction 40 (Higham) to 42 (Westley – Bury St Edmunds west) in both directions. This will start at junction 40 on Monday 29 August, finishing on Friday 2 September. These will be done between 8pm and 5am, using lane closures.
We are also surveying the road surface along the A14 between junctions 43 (Bury St Edmunds) and 42 (Westley – Bury St Edmunds west) in both directions. This will start at junction 43 on Friday 2 September, finishing on Friday 9 September. These will be done between 8pm and 5am, using lane closures.
A120 Bradwell juxta Coggeshall: bridge inspections
We are inspecting the Blackwater Bridge of the A120 as it passes through Bradwell-juxta-Coggeshall. We will be working from midnight to 6am on Tuesday 30 August, then that night from 10pm to 6am on Wednesday 31 August. While we are doing this work, one lane will be closed across the bridge. Traffic lights will be in place to maintain the flow of traffic. This work comes ahead of a major package of improvement works for the A120 and A12 in this location early next year.
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, usually working between 8pm and 5am. This week we are repairing barriers on the M11 in both directions on Saturday 3 and Sunday 4 September during the day, using a hard shoulder closure while we are working between junctions 6 (M25) and 9 (A11). We will also be doing this work using lane closures overnight throughout the week.
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).
M1 Luton: resurfacing
Luton to Toddington
We are working to resurface the M1 between junctions 11 (Luton and Dunstable Hospital) and 12 (Toddington). The M1 will be closed northbound between the two junctions on Tuesday 30 August and Thursday 1 September, between 10pm and 6am.
There will be a clearly signed diversion route whereby drivers will exit at junction 11, take the A505 Dunstable Road west to Poynters Road, continue on Poynters Road and merge onto Park Road North to The Green and continue through Houghton Regis to the A5120, follow the A5120 through Toddington and re-join the M1 at junction 12. The diversion symbol will be a hollow triangle.
Toddington to Luton
We are working to resurface the M1 between junctions 12 (Toddington) and 11 (Luton and Dunstable Hospital). The M1 will be closed southbound between the two junctions on Wednesday 31 August and Friday 2 September, between 10pm and 6am.
There will be a clearly signed diversion route whereby drivers will exit at junction 12, take the A5120 Harlington Road (signposted A5120 west), follow the A5120 through Toddington to Houghton Regis, take High Street and The Green, then Park Road North (signposted Luton M1), onto Poynters Road and onto the A505 Dunstable Road to re-roin the M1 at junction 11 to continue. The diversion symbol will be a hollow circle.
M11 Stansted to M25: inspections
We are inspecting the M11 ahead of future improvement works. This work will be inspecting the road surface between junction 6 (M25) and 8 (Stansted Airport and Bishop’s Stortford). We will be working between 9pm and 6am on weeknights only.
The M11 will be affected as follows:
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: 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 Tuesday 30 August to Friday 2 September.
M11: surveys
We will be doing some surveys on the M11 in both directions between junctions 6 (M25) and 8 (Stansted Airport – Bishop’s Stortford) throughout the week. This will be done using lane and hard shoulder closures while we are working, between 8.30pm and 6am, from Wednesday 31 August to Friday 2 September.
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, that 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 and there are narrow lanes and a 50mph limit.
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 take around three months to complete.
We are replacing the traffic lights in the central reservation and replacing faulty technology loops at junction 6 (M25). We will be doing this overnight on Tuesday 30 August, with the M11 closed here while we are working between 8pm and 6am. Drivers looking to head northbound on the M11 will exit the M25 at junction 25 (A10 – Cheshunt), take the A10 northbound, then the A414 eastbound and then southbound round Harlow to re-join the M11 at junction 7. Drivers heading south will follow this diversion in reverse.
M11 and A14 Cambridgeshire: improvements
A package of work to carry out resurfacing, safety barrier renewal, bridge repairs, embankment repairs, replacing and installing new signs, repairing damaged kerbs and replacing road markings on the A14 and M11 in Cambridgeshire, has started and will continue until late August. The work is part of Highways England’s commitment to improve safety and ensure better journey experiences across the East region’s busiest roads. You can stay informed of latest closures and works at www.highways.gov.uk/east_subscribe We are currently working on the A14 westbound Huntingdon Rail Viaduct, replacing worn out bridge joints.
There will be an overnight road closure on the A14 westbound between junctions 24 (Godmanchester) and 23 (Spittles) from Tuesday 30 August to Friday 2 September. Traffic will be diverted onto the A1195 to Caxton then the A428 westbound to Wyboston, onto the A1 north to Brampton Hut to then re-join the A14. We are currently working on the A1307 Huntingdon Road Bridge, again replacing worn out bridge joints and surfacing.
This week’s work will involve the central lane on the A1307 Huntingdon Road Bridge will be closed in both directions on Tuesday 30 August.
We are currently working on the A14 eastbound, for traffic counter detector commissioning.
This week’s work will involve the left hand lane will be closed on the A14 eastbound between junctions 32 (Impington) and 33 (Milton) on Wednesday 31 August.
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 the scheme website.
This week the left hand lane will be closed in both directions while we are working overnight on Tuesday 30 August and the hard shoulder on Wednesday 31 August. This work will be done between 10pm and 5.30am.
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.
This week we are working on the M40 at junction 4 (High Wycombe) on Tuesday 30 August in both directions.
We are working on the M40 junction 15 (A429 – Warwick) northbound exit slip road and southbound entry slip road on Tuesday 30 August. Drivers will be diverted to take the M40 to the next junction, exit and return to junction 15.
We are working on the M40 junction 1 (A40 – Uxbridge) northbound entry slip road on Thursday 1 September. Drivers will be diverted to take the M40 to the next junction, exit and return to junction 1. Working on the M40 junction 3 (Loudwater) northbound exit slip road on Thursday 1 September. Drivers will be diverted to take the M40 to the next junction, exit and return to junction 3.
Working on the M40 junction 6 (Lewknor) northbound entry and exit slip roads on Friday 2 September. Drivers will be diverted to take the M40 to the next junction, exit and return to junction 6.
Working on the M40 junction 10 (A43 – Ardley) northbound entry and exit slip roads on Saturday 3 September. Drivers will be diverted to take the M40 to the next junction, exit and return to junction 10.
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 A422 Abbey Hill Roundabout (H3) and the A421 Redmoor Roundabout (H9). The road will be closed southbound while we are working on Tuesday 30 and Wednesday 31 August and the A509 Portway Interchange (H5) entry slip road will also be closed to traffic. Drivers will be diverted to take Grafton Street (V6) to re-join the A5 southbound at A421 Redmoor Roundabout.
On Thursday 1 and Friday 2 September we will be replacing safety barrier, with lanes closed while we are working overnight along with narrow lanes and a 50mph speed restriction past the works.
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 also be overnight lane closures when required, which will be clearly signed.
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.
There will be two and three way traffic lights in use on local roads, Luton Road, A5120 and B579 throughout to complete the work during day time off-peak hours. There will be the occasional night time lane and road closure to complete verge work and tie-in preparation work.
Cycle improvements schemes in Suffolk, Essex, Norfolk and Bedfordshire
Work is substantially completed on the building or improving of cycle paths at 17 locations across the East of England including on the A12, A120, A47 and A5. UK Power Network is planning on starting their work to link traffic signals to mains in September.
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.
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 southbound side of the bridge, with the central lane closed until Tuesday 30 August. Overnight on Tuesday 30 August the A12 will be closed southbound, with drivers taking the diversion route described above. While the A12 is closed we will change the lane closure, with the left hand lane closed from Wednesday 31 August. The 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 northbound side (including one southbound), and one on the southbound side.
A14 Cambridge to Huntingdon major improvements: surveys
We are currently carrying out topographical, drainage, pavement, existing services and street lighting surveys. We expect to complete these in the summer.
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.
We have no planned lane closures on the network for next week.
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 further details, please 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.
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.