Road improvement work along A12
Work is due to start on two schemes on the A12 between Essex and Ipswich to provide drivers with safe and reliable journeys.
A multi-million pound project to resurface sections of the A12 will start before the end of the month, the Highways Agency has announced.
The work will take place over the next four months and will be carried out in phases, improving 16 km of this Essex and Suffolk road.
The new surface will provide drivers with smoother, safer and quieter journeys. The work is part of record government investment in roads – the biggest since the 1970s.
The work on the A12 between the M25 junction 28 at Brentwood in Essex and the A12 junction 33 includes carriageway resurfacing, the renewal of road signs, repairing drainage and upgrading safety barriers.
Highways Agency project manager, Anna Graham said:
“This is a multi-million pound scheme which is taking place to prolong the life of the carriageway. The work has been designed to improve the surface of the road and safety for road users, while minimising the need for future maintenance works in these locations.
“To minimise the disruption to residents and the travelling public, the main work will be carried out at night in the New Year using contraflow. However, there will be no work over the Christmas period.
“We have worked closely with Suffolk County Council and Essex County Council to minimise any inconvenience that the works may cause. We are timing the works to avoid disrupting late night shopping and we are proposing to use a contraflow so the road remains open. During the day the road will be open with two lanes operating in both directions.
“We ask that drivers should be aware of the temporary road surface, take care travelling through the roadworks and adhere to the 40mph speed limit.”
The majority of work will be carried out overnight, between 10pm and 6am.
For the A12 between junction 11 and 12 northbound and southbound:
- Preparatory work to install the contraflow system will start on Monday 8 December and will be completed by 19 December. The southbound carriageway will be closed and lane two will be closed northbound.
- The works will then take place overnight using contraflow in January for eight weeks, subject to weather conditions. These works will take place between 10pm and 6am, more details will follow.
- Final phase to install crossover gates and remove the contraflow will take place following completion of the above works, more details will be announced.
During the overnight closures clearly signed diversion routes will be in place along the A1023 from the A12 junction 11 at Brook Street Interchange through Brentwood and along the B1002 to A12 junction 13 (Ingatestone) and vice versa.
For the A12 between junction 31 and 33 northbound and southbound:
- Preparatory work to install the contraflow system will start on Monday 8 December and will be completed by 19 December. During these works one lane will be closed in each direction.
- The works will then take place overnight using contraflow in January for eight weeks, subject to weather conditions. These works will take place between 10pm and 6am, more details to follow.
- Final phase to install crossover gates and remove the contraflow will take place following completion of the above works, more details will be announced.
Drivers will be diverted to exit at junction 31 (Four Sisters Interchange) and then onto the B1070, A137 and A14 to re-join A12 at junction 33 (Copdock) and vice versa. Lorries will be advised to follow A133, A137 and A14.
The work is dependent on suitable weather conditions, and dates may be subject to change.
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.