Author Archives: HM Government

Speaking at a meeting of European Union Defence Ministers in Brussels, Sir Michael Fallon called on the EU to step up cooperation with NATO in order for the two organisations to more effectively tackle shared security challenges, including hybrid warfare and cyber.

Sir Michael also called for an improvement in Europe’s performance in building national capabilities that can be made available to the EU and NATO. This requires more defence spending and better investment in key equipment.

Britain’s commitments in 2017 underline the leading role in European Security the UK will continue to play. This year, Britain is leading NATO’s Very High Readiness Joint Task Force, a Brigade-size force which is ready and willing to respond to any threat. This spring, the UK will also deploy a battle group of around 800 personnel to lead in Estonia NATO’s Enhanced Forward Presence.

The Defence Secretary also confirmed Britain’s strong role in EU missions and operations. HMS Echo is currently helping to tackle people smugglers in the Mediterranean, as part of the EU’s mission Operation Sophia. Royal Navy deployments to the operation have helped destroy over 120 smuggling boasts, apprehending 20 suspected smugglers in the process, and have helped to rescue 10,000 people from the high seas.

Britain also has over 150 UK personnel committed to EU missions and operations, including in Bosnia, Mail and Somalia, demonstrating Britain’s global reach.

Defence Secretary Sir Michael Fallon said:

We are leaving the EU but we will continue to cooperate with our European partners on defence and security. This includes playing our part in the mission in the Mediterranean, rescuing migrants and tackling people smuggling.

Today I have urged the EU to cooperate more closely with NATO, to avoid unnecessary duplication and to work together on new threats, including cyber.

Sir Michael called on the EU and NATO to redouble their efforts on cooperation, noting that while good progress has been made, more work needed to be done, particularly on cyber, hybrid, maritime and coordinated exercises.

Today’s meeting also brought forward improvements to the EU’s Common Security and Defence Policy (CSDP) missions and operations, through the Military Planning and Conduct Capability (MPCC), to help improve planning and conduct of the training missions (known as non-executive missions) and to enhance civilian and military working. Important improvements to the agreement, suggested by the UK, were agreed today, including limiting the authority of the Director of the MPCC, and avoiding duplication with NATO structures.

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The following summary of planned new and ongoing road improvements over the coming week is correct as of 3 March 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.

M3 junctions 2 (M25) to 4a Farnborough, Hampshire: Smart motorway improvement

Work to reduce congestion and improve journey times continues this week with narrow lanes a 50mph speed limit in place on both carriageways between junctions 2 and 4a, with a free recovery service operating 24 hours a day.

For further details, visit the scheme website.

M3 junction 8 Popham, Hampshire: bridge strengthening

Work to maintain journeys by undertaking bridge bearing and support replacement continues this week. Narrow lanes and a 50mph speed restriction are in place on the link form the M3 southbound to the A303 westbound 24 hours a day until May.

M3 junction 10 Winchester, Hampshire: safety barrier

Work to improve safety by carrying out repairs to the barrier along the M3 starts this week. Lane closures will be in place on the northbound carriageway overnight, between 10pm and 6am, from Monday 6 March for 5 nights.

M3 junction 12 Chandlers Ford, Hampshire: street lighting

Work to maintain road user safety by carrying out maintenance to the street lighting at the junction starts this week. The northbound exit and entry slip roads and the westbound lane over the bridge at the junction will be closed overnight, between 10pm and 5am, from Thursday 9 March for 8 nights. Clearly signed diversions will be in place via the adjacent junctions.

M3 junctions 12 Chandlers Ford to 11 Winchester, Hampshire: resurfacing

Work to improve journeys by resurfacing a section of the M3 northbound carriageway near Otterbourne finishes this week. The northbound carriageway from junction 12 to junction 11 will be closed overnight, between 9pm and 6am, until Wednesday 8 March. A clearly signed diversion will be in place via Otterbourne.

M4 junctions 5 Slough to 6 Windsor, Berkshire: street lighting

Work to maintain road user safety by carrying out maintenance to the street lighting along the M4 continues this week. Lane closures will be in place on the east and westbound carriageways overnight, between 9pm and 6am, until Wednesday 26 April (Monday to Friday only).

M4 junction 7 Maidenhead, Berkshire: signs and surveys

Work to keep road users informed by maintaining the signage along the M4 and by carrying out surveys in preparation for converting the M4 into a Smart Motorway continues this week. Lane closures will be in place on the eastbound exit and on the southbound Huntercombe Spur overnight, between 9pm and 6am, until Tuesday 14 March (Monday to Friday only).

M4 junction 8/9 Maidenhead to 10 Wokingham, Berkshire: surveys

Work to improve journeys by carrying out surveys in preparation for converting the M4 into a Smart Motorway continues this week. Lane 1 of the westbound carriageway will be closed overnight, between 9pm and 6am, until Friday 10 March.

M4 junction 10 Wokingham, Berkshire: bridge reconstruction

Work to refurbish the bridge which carries the link roads over the M4 continues this week. Narrow lanes and a 40mph speed limit are in place on the slip roads and a 50mph speed limit is in place on the M4 carriageway until November 2017.

M4 junctions 10 Wokingham to 11 Reading, Berkshire: safety barrier

Work to improve safety by carrying out repairs to the barrier along the M4 near Shinfield continues this week. Lane closures will be in place on the westbound carriageway overnight, between 10pm and 6am, until Friday 17 March (Monday to Friday only).

M4 junctions 11 to 12 Reading, Berkshire: resurfacing

Work to improve journeys by replacing a bridge joint and resurfacing a section of the M4 westbound carriageway between Moto services and junction 12 continues this week. The westbound carriageway will be fully closed overnight, between 10pm and 6am, until Friday 10 March. A clearly signed diversion will be in place via the A33 and A4.

M4 junctions 12 Theale to 13 Chieveley, West Berkshire: bridge refurbishment

Work to refurbish the bridges which carry the M4 over Dark Lane and Ashampstead Road continues this week. Narrow lanes and a 50mph speed limit will be in place on the east and westbound carriageways until August.

M27 junction 2 Ower, Hampshire: road markings

Work to maintain road user safety by renewing the road markings at the junction takes place this week. The westbound entry slip road at the junction will be closed overnight, between 9pm and 6am, on Monday 6 March. A clearly signed diversion will be in place via junction 3 and return.

M27 junction 4 Chilworth (Southampton), Hampshire: road markings

Work to maintain road user safety by renewing the road markings along the eastbound carriageway takes place this week. The M27 eastbound carriageway will be fully closed between the slips for the M3 overnight, between 9pm and 6am, on Saturday 11 March. A clearly signed diversion will be in place north up the M3 to junction 12, then south on the M3 to re-join the M27.

M27 junction 5 Eastleigh, Hampshire: road markings

Work to maintain road user safety by renewing the road markings at the junction takes place this week. The eastbound exit slip road at the junction 5 will be closed overnight, between 9pm and 6am, from Wednesday 8 March for 4 nights (Monday to Friday). A clearly signed diversion will be in place via junction 7 and return.

In addition, the southbound link from the M3 to the M27 eastbound carriageway will also be closed during the same period. A clearly signed diversion will be in place via Chilworth Roundabout, Bassett Green Road and Stoneham Way.

M27 junction 8 Bursledon, Hampshire: road markings

Work to maintain road user safety by renewing the road markings at the junction takes place this week. The eastbound entry slip road at the junction will be closed overnight, between 9pm and 6am, on Sunday 12 March. A clearly signed diversion will be in place via junction 7 and return.

M27 junctions 8 Bursledon to 7 Hedge End, Hampshire: resurfacing

Work to improve journeys by resurfacing the M27 finishes this week. The westbound carriageway from junction 8 to junction 7 will be closed overnight, between 10pm and 6am, until Friday 10 March. A clearly signed diversion will be in place via the A27.

M27 junctions 8 Bursledon to 9 Whiteley, Hampshire: resurfacing

Work to improve journeys by resurfacing the M27 continues this week. Lanes 1 and 2 of the eastbound carriageway and the eastbound exit slip road at junction 9 will be closed overnight, between 10pm and 6am, from Monday 6 March for 2 weeks (Monday to Friday only). A clearly signed diversion will be in place via junction 11 and return.

M271 Southampton, Hampshire: road markings and signs

Work to maintain road user safety by renewing the road markings and maintaining the signage along the M271 takes place this week. The southbound links between the A3057 Romsey Road roundabout and the M27, between the M27 and Lordshill Roundabout and the southbound entry slip road at junction 1 will be closed overnight, between 10pm and 6am, on Saturday 11 and Sunday 12 March. A clearly signed diversion will be in place via the A3057 Romsey Road and Brownhill Way.

A3(M) junction 2 Waterlooville, Hampshire: drainage

Work to maintain road user safety by carrying out drainage maintenance along the A3(M) continues this week. Lane closures will be in place on the northbound carriageway and the exit and entry slip roads at junction 2 overnight, between 9pm and 6am, from Wednesday 8 March for 4 nights (Monday to Friday only).

A3(M) Cowplain to A3 Petersfield, Hampshire: road markings

Work to maintain road user safety by renewing the road markings along the A3 takes place this week. The northbound carriageway from A3(M) junction 2 to Petersfield will be closed overnight, between 9pm and 6am, from Thursday 9 March for 2 nights.

During the closures clearly signed diversions will be in place suitable for motorway permitted vehicles (via the A3M, M27, A32 and A272) and non-motorway vehicles (A3, A32 and A272).

A3 Hogs Back (A31), Surrey to Longmoor, Hampshire: road markings

Work to maintain road user safety by renewing the road markings along the A3 takes place this week. The A3 southbound carriageway from the A31 Hogs Back to the Longmoor junction will be closed overnight, between 9pm and 6am, from Monday 6 March for 3 nights. A clearly signed diversion will be in place via the A31 and A325.

A3 Ockham to Guildford, Surrey: drainage

Work to maintain road user safety by carrying out drainage maintenance along the A3 continues this week. Lane closures will be in place on both carriageways overnight, between 10pm and 6am, from Monday 6 March for 2 weeks (Monday to Friday only).

In addition, the southbound entry slip road at the Send Interchange will be closed overnight, between 10pm and 6am, from Friday 10 march for 5 nights (Monday to Friday only). A clearly signed diversion will be in place via Guildford.

A27 Portsmouth, Hampshire: resurfacing

Work to improve road user’s journeys by repairing damaged carriageway takes place this week. Lane closures will be in place on the westbound approach to the A2030 Eastern Road junction overnight, between 9pm and 6am, on Monday 6 March.

A31 St Leonards, Dorset: drainage

Work to maintain road user safety by carrying out drainage maintenance along the A31 continues this week. Lane closures will be in place on the east and westbound carriageways between the Ashley Heath and Palmersford roundabouts overnight, between 10pm and 6am, until Friday 10 March.

A31 Ringwood to Picket Post, Hampshire: resurfacing

Work to improve journeys by resurfacing a section of the A31 eastbound carriageway from Poulner Hill to Picket Post starts this week. The A31 eastbound carriageway will be fully closed from the A338 Ringwood Interchange to Stoney Cross overnight, between 10pm and 6am, from Monday 6 March for 12 nights (Monday to Friday only). A clearly signed diversion will be in place via the A338, Salisbury and the A36.

A34 Three Maids Hill (Winchester), Hampshire: surveys

Work to improve journeys by carrying out surveys of the carriageway and drainage system takes place this week. The southbound exit and entry slip roads at the A272 junction will be closed overnight, between 9pm and 6am, on Tuesday 7 March.

In addition, the northbound entry slip road at the A272 junction will be closed overnight, between 9pm and 6am, on Thursday 9 March.

During all closures a clearly signed diversion will be in place via the adjacent junctions.

A34 Sutton Scotney, Hampshire: drainage

Work to maintain road user safety by carrying out drainage maintenance along the A34 continues this week. Lane closures will be in place on the northbound carriageway from the A272 (Three Maids Hill) to the A303 (Bullington Cross) overnight, between 10pm and 6am, until Friday 10 March.

A34 Bullington Cross to Highclere, Hampshire: resurfacing and road markings

Work to improve road user’s journeys by resurfacing a section of the A34 northbound carriageway finishes this week. The A34 northbound carriageway will be closed from the A303 (Bullington Cross) to the A343 (Wash Common) overnight, between 10pm and 6am, until Thursday 9 March. A clearly signed diversion will be in place via the A303, Andover and A343.

In addition, work to improve journeys by renewing the road markings along the southbound carriageway starts this week. The southbound carriageway will be closed from the A343 (Highclere/Wash Common) to the A303 (Bullington) overnight, between 10pm and 6am, from Wednesday 8 March for 4 nights (Monday to Friday). A clearly signed diversion will be in place via the A343, Andover and A303.

A34 Speen to Chieveley, West Berkshire: road markings

Work to improve journeys by renewing the road markings along the A34 near Newbury continues this week. The northbound carriageway will be closed from the A4 (Speen) to Chieveley overnight, between 10pm and 6am, on Tuesday 7 March. During the closures clearly signed diversions will be in place suitable for motorway permitted vehicles (via the M4 junction 14 and the A4) and non-motorway vehicles (via Hermitage and Newbury).

A34 Drayton to Didcot, Oxfordshire: resurfacing

Work to improve road user’s journeys by resurfacing a section of the A34 southbound carriageway continues this week. The A34 southbound will be closed from the A415 Marcham Interchange to the A4185 Chilton Junction overnight, between 10pm to 6am, until Tuesday 14 March (Monday to Friday only). A clearly signed diversion will be in place from the A420 Botley Interchange, the west on the A420, south on the A338 to Wantage, then east back towards Chilton/Milton.

A34 Didcot to Oxford, Oxfordshire: road markings

Work to improve journeys by renewing the road markings along the A34 continues this week. The northbound carriageway will be closed from the A4185 Milton Interchange to the A420 Botley Interchange overnight, between 10pm and 6am, from Tuesday 7 March for 4 nights. A clearly signed diversion will be in place via the A417, A338 and A420.

A34 Oxford, Oxfordshire: street lighting

In addition, work to maintain road user safety by carrying out maintenance to the street lighting at the A44 Peartree Interchange continues this week. A lane closure will be in place on the roundabout overnight, between 9pm and 6am, until Wednesday 15 March (Monday to Friday only).

A34 Peartree to Kidlington (Oxford), Oxfordshire: resurfacing

Work to improve road user’s journeys by resurfacing a section of the A34 northbound carriageway starts this week. The A34 northbound will be closed from the A44 Peartree Interchange to Kidlington overnight, between 10pm to 6am, from Thursday 9 March for 4 weeks (Monday to Friday only).

During the closures clearly signed diversions will be in place suitable for motorway permitted vehicles (via the A44, A40 M40) and non-motorway vehicles (A44, A4095 and A41).

A303 Popham to Micheldever, Hampshire: drainage

Work to maintain road user safety by carrying out drainage maintenance along the A303 continues this week. Lane closures will be in place on the east and westbound carriageways overnight, between 9pm and 6am, until Friday 10 March.

In addition, the eastbound exit slip road at the Micheldever junction will be closed overnight, between 9pm and 6am, from Thursday 9 March for 2 nights. A clearly signed diversion will be in place via Stockbridge Road and the A33.

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.

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The following summary of planned new and ongoing road improvements over the coming week is correct as of Friday 3 March and 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. Drivers looking for roadworks information (such as overnight carriageway closures) for individual schemes should now visit Traffic England.](http://www.trafficengland.com) Some of our larger schemes have project pages giving other information. These can now be accessed from a dedicated regional page.

M53 junctions 1 to 2 (Wallasey to Upton)

Work to upgrade the safety barrier in the central reservation between junctions 1 and 2 on the M53 started on Monday 6 February. Lane closures will be in place overnight, with some full carriageway closures later in the project. The scheme is expected to take around a month to complete.

M53 junctions 9 to 10 (East Port Centre to Queensferry)

Overnight work to renew the safety barrier in the central reservation started on Monday 20 February for 5 weeks. The work will take place between 10pm and 5am, Monday to Friday, and require overnight carriageway closures with clearly signed diversions in place.

M56 junctions 10 to 11 (Stretton to Preston Brook)

Work to upgrade the safety barrier and paint new road markings on the M56 near Warrington started on Monday 30 January. Lane closures will be in place overnight between 8pm and 5am, Monday to Friday. The project is due to be completed by the end of March.

M6 junctions 16 to 19 (Cheshire smart motorway)

Work is underway to upgrade the M6 to a smart motorway between Crewe and Knutsford, converting the hard shoulder to an extra lane and introducing new variable speed limits. Narrow lanes and a temporary 50mph speed limit are in place for the safety of drivers and workers. The southbound carriageway will be closed between junctions 17 and 16 on Monday 6 March and between junctions 19 and 18 on Wednesday 8 March. The northbound carriageway will be closed between junctions 18 and 19 on Tuesday 7 March and between junctions 16 and 17 on Thursday 9 March. Diversions will be in place.

M6 junction 21a/M62 junction 10 (Croft Interchange)

Construction work is taking place on a major project to tackle congestion and improve the flow of traffic between the M6 and M62 at Croft Interchange. A 50mph speed limit, backed by average speed cameras, will be in place along main carriageways of both the M6 and M62 and interchange link roads. Some overnight slip road closures will also take place.

M6 junction 33 to 34 Lancaster

Lancashire County Council’s new link road between junction 34 of the M6 and Heysham has now opened but finishing work will require lane and hard shoulder closures along the M6 through junction 34 to continue for the time being.

M60 junction 8 to M62 junction 20 (Sale to Rochdale)

A major smart motorway scheme is taking place to cut congestion and improve journey times on parts of the M60 and the M62 in Greater Manchester. The scheme involves overnight slip road and carriageway closures, with narrow lanes and a temporary 50mph speed limit in place for the safety of drivers and road workers.

A556 Knutsford to Bowdon

Construction work to provide a £192 million dual carriageway linking junction 19 of the M6 at Knutsford and junction 7 of the M56 at Bowdon, has entered its final phase. It is due to open on Monday 6 March. On the existing A556, a full weekend closure will run from 9pm on Friday 3 March until 5am on Monday 6 March. This includes the M6 southbound exit and entry slip roads at junction 19, the exit slip roads at junction 7 of the M56 and junction 8 of the M56. Overnight closures will also be in place on the new A556 during the next week, with a full weekend closure from 9pm on Friday 10 March until 5am on Monday 13 March to complete concrete barrier work.

A585 West Drive to Fleetwood Cycleway

Work is taking place on a new shared footpath and cycleway between West Drive and Fleetwood. Narrow lanes and a temporary 30mph speed limit are being used along the route to help provide a safe space for workers constructing the new shared paths. Work will take place between 7am and 7pm each day with occasional overnight work. The project is due to be completed by the end of March.

A585 Amounderness Way, Thornton

Temporary traffic lights will be in place between West Drive and Bourne Way until Saturday 8 April for maintenance and inspection work.

A590 Lindal in Furness

Work is being carried out to tackle flooding between Pennington Lane and Bank End Cottages. 24hr temporary traffic lights are now in place until late March.

A590 Brettargh Holt to Newby Bridge

Lane closures will be in place 24 hours a day while junction improvement work is carried out by the A5074. The scheme is due to be completed by the end of March.

A66 Bassenthwaite Lake

A contraflow system is in place while work is carried out on the embankment in the central reservation next to Bass Lake. The scheme is due to be completed in the spring.

A66 Thornthwaite (Osprey Site)

Flood resilience work is continuing with overnight carriageway closures in place between 8pm and 6am until the end of March. Clearly-signed diversions are in place. During the day, temporary traffic lights are in use along with a 40mph speed limit.

A66 Marron Bridge

Maintenance is underway on Marron Bridge, between Broughton Cross and Bridgefoot. Overnight closures are in place between 9pm and 5am, with a clearly-signed diversion. Due to the temporary bridging plates, a 30mph speed limit backed by speed cameras is required during the day. The project is due to be completed in March.

A66 Brough

Resurfacing and drainage work is taking place on the eastbound carriageway at Brough. Overnight slip road closures will be in place between 8pm and 6am, along with lane closures 24 hours a day.

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.

read more

The following summary of planned new and ongoing road improvements over the coming week 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 … read more

The following information summarises the work being carried out this coming week. It is correct as of 2 March 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.

Various roads: routine inspections and maintenance for street lighting

Highways England is carrying out a programme of routine inspections of electrical and structural equipment across the region, which is planned for completion in Summer 2017. In addition there is a programme of maintenance which includes bulk lamp changes. Work will include inspecting equipment on:

• the A47 heading towards Norwich from Kings Lynn, with traffic management but no full closures
• the A12 heading south from Colchester to Brentwood, with traffic management but no full closures

Various roads: barrier repairs

Highways England 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, between 8pm and 5am. This week we are repairing barriers on the M11 in both directions from Monday 6 to Friday 10 March 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

Highways England will continue litter picking throughout the week on the M11. This will be done using a mobile slow-moving hard shoulder or lane closure. Work will also include sweeping the hard shoulder of the M11 during the day while we litter pick between junctions 6 (M25) and 9 (A11).

Highways England will be completing safety improvement works to the footway and crossing points on the A5 at Chalk Hill (North Dunstable) around the Sewell Lane Junction. This will be done between Monday 6 March and Friday 10 March, working overnight on weeknights only. During the works we will have temporary traffic lights in place.

A1 Sandy to Black Cat drainage improvements

Highways England will be working to renew and improve the Highway drainage system on the A1 between Sandy and the Black Cat roundabout. Works include the renewal of drainage gullies, and the clearance and improvement of drainage ditches. We will be using weeknight overnight lane closures to provide access to the roadside drainage.

M1: technology repairs

Highways England will be working to repair and replace faulty power cables for signage technology on the motorway, including overhead sign lighting, on the M1. This will be done using lane and hard shoulder closures while we are working, between 9pm and 5am, from Monday 6 to Friday 10 March. As part of this work, it will be necessary for slip roads to be closed overnight on some dates. 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

Highways England are carrying out routine maintenance work on bridges crossing the M11 between junctions 6 (M25) and 9 (A11) in both directions. They 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

Highways England 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 6 to Friday 10 March.

M11: routine maintenance

Highways England 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).

A5-M1 Link (Dunstable Northern Bypass), Bedfordshire: major improvements

Highways England is 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 is progressing well. The traffic management, including hard shoulder closures, safety barriers, signs, CCTV and average speed cameras, will stay in place throughout the construction work, which will be carried out in phases and should be finished in spring 2017.

Work on the M1and A5: there will be M1 lane closures between junctions 10 and 13 from Monday 6 March to Saturday 11 March between 10pm to 6am for overhead gantry works and new sign installation.

Work on the A5 and local roads: from Monday 6 to Sunday 12 March there will be traffic lights overnight on the A5 and A505 between 8pm and 6am for safety barrier installation and construction of a new footpath works. There will be temporary traffic lights on local roads and A5 between 9.30am and 3.30pm for verge and safety barrier work. Monday 6 to Wednesday 8 between 8pm to 6am Sundon Road will be closed overnight in order to carry out drainage and verge works. Diversion route will be clearly signed.

Eastbound alternative route; drivers will be diverted south along B579 Luton Road, at the roundabout at Coverdale turn left onto Toddington Road and continue along Toddington Road to the junction with Grange Avenue. Turn right onto Grange Avenue and continue to the traffic lights at Oakley Road, turn left and continue along Oakley Road to the next roundabout, go straight across continuing on Oakley Road at the 2nd roundabout, take the 1st exit and then turn left onto Dunstable Road and then turn left onto Waller Avenue, at the end of Waller Avenue turn left onto Marsh Road (B579) and continue to the first roundabout, take the second exit straight over and continue on Marsh Road to the next roundabout and take the second exit onto Sundon Park Road, follow Sundon Park Road which will bring traffic back onto Sundon Road. Westbound alternative route will be the above route in the opposite direction.

A11 Babraham: road surface repairs

Highways England will be working to repair the road surface of the A11 at Babraham. This will be done between Thursday 9 March and Saturday 1 April, working from 8pm to 6am on weeknights only.

To keep road users at a safe distance from the works, we will close the A11 while we are working. This will be westbound from Thursday 9 and Tuesday 21 March and eastbound from Wednesday 22 March to Saturday 1 April. When we’re working westbound the A11 will be closed between the A1307 Four Went Ways Interchange and A505 Interchange. There will be a clearly signed diversion route in place, whereby drivers heading westbound on the A14 will be directed to:

• ontinue west on the A14 at J36 Nine Mill Hill Interchange towards Cambridge, then;
• exit the A14 at J31 Girton Interchange and take the M11 south towards London, then;
• continue south on the M11 past J9 Stump Cross Interchange.

Local traffic affected by the closure will be directed to exit the M11 at J10 Duxford Interchange then east along the A505Drivers who miss the A14 diversion will turn around at the A11/A1307 Four Went Ways Interchange and head back to turn around at the A14 J37 Exning Interchange.

When we’re working eastbound the A11 will be closed between the M11 J9 Stump Cross Interchange and A1307 Four Went Ways Interchange. There will be a clearly signed diversion route in place, whereby drivers heading northbound on the M11 will be directed to:

• continue north on the M11 towards Cambridge
• exit the M11 at J14 Girton Interchange and take the A14 east towards Newmarket
• continue east on the A14 past J36 Nine Mill Hill Interchange

Local traffic affected by the closure will be directed to:

• exit the M11 at J11 Cambridge (South) Interchange and take the A1309 north towards Cambridge
• take the A1134 east towards Addenbrooke’s Hospital
• take the A1307 south towards Babraham

A12/A47 renumbering

Highways England is renumbering part of the A12 to become the A47. This work is being carried out as part of the improvements to the A47/A12 corridor. We will be replacing road signs that currently show the A12 to now show the A47. The work will last approximately 12 weeks to complete. The section of the A12 that currently runs from Lowestoft to Great Yarmouth will become the A47.

A14 Bury St Edmunds: junction improvements

Improvement works are being carried out on the A14 junction 45 Rookery Crossroads/Rougham. Works include construction of new eastbound slip roads, which are being funded by Suffolk County Council as part of the Bury St Edmunds Eastern Relief Road scheme. There is a 24 hour 40mph speed limit in place through the works for safety reasons, works are currently taking place overnight using lane closures in both directions. The works are due to take five months to complete.

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 and main construction has now started. We are currently carrying out a variety of tasks for which we need to close lanes or carriageway on the A1, A14 and some local roads, usually overnight between 8pm and 6am unless otherwise stated. The work includes:

• creating safe crossing points for plant on a number of local roads
• installing access points to our construction compounds
• taking core samples of the existing A1 and A14 carriageways to help us plan construction
• clearing sites next to the live carriageway of vegetation
• installing CCTV and average speed cameras
• installing information boards

Planned closures this week

Full closures

Monday 6 March to Friday 10 March:

• A1 Northbound between Buckden & Alconbury

Friday 10 March 10pm to Monday 13 March 5am:

• Dry Drayton Road Oakington, northbound from its junction with the A14 to the junction with Slate Hall Farm Lane Closures

Monday 6 March:

• A1 Northbound between Little Paxton to Brampton Lane 2 closed
• A14 Eastbound between Junction 27 & Junction 29 Lane 1 closed
• A14 Eastbound Junction 28 exit & entry slip roads closed

Tuesday 7 March:

• A1 Northbound between Little Paxton to Brampton Lane 2 closed
• A14 Westbound between Junction 28 & Junction 27 Lane 1 closed

Wednesday 8 March:

• A1 Northbound between Little Paxton to Brampton Lane 2 closed
• A14 Westbound between Junction 28 & Junction 27 Lane 1 closed

Thursday 9 and Friday 10 March:

• A1 Northbound between Little Paxton to Brampton Lane 2 closed

A14 Cambridgeshire: drainage repairs

Highways England is undertaking investigations and repairs to the drainage system of the A14 between junctions 35 (Stoke cum Quy) and 32 (Girton – M11 interchange). There will be Westbound lane closures between 8pm and 6am while we are working overnight, with all works on weekdays only.

On Friday evening we are working on the A14 Eastbound direction with the inside lane closed between junctions 34 and 35.

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 scheme website.

A47 Hockering to Easton: road surface repairs

Highways England will be working to repair the road surface at various sections of the A47 between Hockering and Easton. This will be done between Wednesday 8 March and Saturday 1 April, working from 8pm to 6am on weeknights only.

To keep road users at a safe distance from the works, we will have mixture of traffic lights and full road closures in place while we are working. When the A47 is closed overnight between Monday 27 March and Saturday 1 April, there will be a clearly signed diversion route in place, whereby drivers heading eastbound will be diverted off the A47 at Swaffham and directed as follows:

• take the A1065 to Fakenham
• take the A148
• take the A1067 east to Norwich
• take the A140 Norwich Ring Road
• take the A1075 Dereham Road to re-join 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
• then the A134 north to Mundford
• then the A1065 north to Swaffham to re-join the A47

Local traffic will be permitted along the A47 up until the point of the closure, and those needing access to properties through the closure will be able to approach the gateman to be escorted through.

A120 and A12 Essex: essential maintenance work

We are completing essential maintenance work on the A120 and the A12 in Essex, which will be ongoing until May. This work will include resurfacing, safety barrier repairs, and bridge repairs, with work taking place between Braintree and Marks Tey, near Colchester, at Kelvedon, and at Wix. Unless detailed otherwise, work will be taking place between 8pm and 6am.

This week we are resurfacing the road and footpaths and replacing street lights, fencing and road signs on the A120 between Marks Tey and Marks Farm from Monday 6 to Friday 10 March, under night time (8pm-6am) temporary traffic signals at Coggleshall and Marks Tey. In addition, there will be full closures between the Dolphin pub and Blackwater Aggregates junction Bradwell between Wednesday 8 and Friday 10 March.

We are repairing bridge joints and water proofing, resurfacing of the carriageway. Bridge will be closed to pedestrians from Monday 6 to Sunday 13 March. Pedestrians will be diverted slightly further west over the Halstead road crossing.

A120 Blackwater Bridge Bradwell Village

There is a full closure of A120 Blackwater bridge (Bradwell) from Friday 10 at 8pm to Monday 13 at 6am. Diversion is via A12/A130/A131. The footpath will be accessible but reduced in width to 1.2m to allow bridge deck investigative works. The works will only take place on a day time, but the pedestrian management will be in place for safety 24 hours a day.

We are repairing drainage on the A120 Wix bypass on nights from Monday 6 to Friday 10 March. There will be night time (8pm-5am) traffic lights in place and a 40mph speed limit while we are working. Replacing the central reservation safety barrier on the A120 between junction 29 of the A12 (Crown Interchange) to Hare Green (between the B1029 and the A133). There will be narrow lanes westbound with a 50mph limit in place in both directions 24/7. In addition there will be a lane 2 closure eastbound between Monday 6 and Friday 10 March overnight.

We are repairing bridge joints on the A12 Ewell Bridge near Kelvedon. Bridge closed to pedestrians 24/7 until scheme is completed April 2017. Pedestrians who cross over Ewell Bridge westbound from its connection with Windmill Hill will be diverted head south on Windmill Hill to its junction with Highfields Lane, then along Highfields Lane, heading towards Kelvedon, before crossing Maldon Road Bridge to the junction with Ewell Hall Chase, and finally join Ewell Hall Chase to meet with the public right of way in the vicinity of Ewell Hall Farm. Pedestrians wishing to cross eastbound, the diversion is the reverse of the above.

Porter Park Bridge A12 north of junction 19

We are repairing bridge joints and water proofing, resurfacing of the carriageway and footpath. Closed to all vehicles 24/7. Diversion, (southbound) B1137, A130, Essex Regiment way, Wheelers Hill, Leigh’s Road, Drakes Lane, Boreham Road, Waltham Road, B1137. The northbound diversion is the reverse of the southbound. Pedestrian access is maintained.

A421: Technology Installation (automatic traffic counting sites)

Highways England will be cutting new traffic detector loops cutting in the carriageway and slip road surfaces and installing associated equipment in the verges on the A421 between Marsh Leys Interchange and Elstow Interchange, the works will be carried out using slip road closure and carriageway closure overnight between 9pm and 6am from Monday 6 and Friday 10 March. During the slip road closures traffic wishing to enter or leave the A421 will be diverted on or off the trunk road at the nearest open slip road and return to the original junction via the opposite carriageway in order to continue their journey.

A428 Eltisley: street lighting and road markings

Highways England will be improving street lighting and road markings on the A428 through Eltisley. This will be done between Monday 6 March and Friday 31 March. During the works we will have traffic lights in place while we are working. As part of this work, it will be necessary for road to be closed overnight on some dates. Where the A428 is closed westbound, drivers will be diverted to take the A1198 northbound at Caxton Gibbet roundabout, then at Godmanchester follow the A14 westbound to junction 21 at Brampton Hut, then take the A1 southbound and follow the A1 southbound to Wyboston junction roundabout, where the diversion ends. Drivers heading eastbound will follow this diversion in reverse.

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.

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