The following summary of planned new and ongoing road improvements over the coming week is correct as of 24 February 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.

The southbound carriageway between junctions 2 and 4a including the M25 junction 12 entry slip to the M3 southbound and M25 junction 12 anti-clockwise link road to the M3 southbound including junctions 2, 3 and 4 entry slips and junctions 3, 4 and 4a exit slips will be closed overnight, between 8pm and 5.30am on Monday 27 February for four nights. A clearly signed diversion will be in place via:

• M3 southbound junction 2 to M25 junction 13 via A30 to A327 to M3 junction 4a
• M25 clockwise junction 13 via A30 to A327 to M3 junction 4a
• M25 anti clockwise junction 13 via A30 to A327 to M3 junction 4a

The northbound carriageway between junction 4a and 2 including junction 4a, 4 and 3 entry slips, junction 3 exit slip and the M3 junction 2 slip road to the M25 clockwise and M3 junction 2 link road to M25 anti-clockwise will be closed overnight, between 8pm and 5.30am on Monday 27 February for four nights. A clearly signed diversion will be in place via: M3 junction 4a to A327 to A30 to M25 junction 13 to M3 junction 2 northbound.

The northbound carriageway between junctions 3 and 2 including junction 3 entry slip and M3 junction 2 slip road to the M25 clockwise and M3 junction 2 link road to M25 anti-clockwise will be closed overnight, between 8pm and 7am on Friday 3 March. A clearly signed diversion will be in place via: M3 junction 3 to A322 to A30 to M25 junction 13 to M3 junction 2 northbound.

The M3 Jct 2 northbound slip road to the M25 clockwise and the link road to the M25 anti-clockwise will be closed over the weekend between 9pm Friday 3 March and 5.30am Monday 3 March. Three clearly signed diversions will be in place via:

• M3 junction 2 northbound slip road to M25 junction 12 clockwise – leave the M3 northbound at junction 4; follow the A331/A31/A3 and then join the M25 at junction 10
• M3 junction 2 northbound (Heathrow) – leave the M3 at junction 3. Follow the A322 to A329M on to the M4 to junction 4B where you can join the M25 at junction 15
• M3 junction 2 northbound (Gatwick) to the anti-clockwise M25 – continue on the M3 northbound to junction 1, then using the roundabout turn around and re-join the M3 at junction 1 southbound to the M3 junction 2 to the M25 anti-clockwise

For further details visit the scheme page.

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 9 Winchester, Hampshire: safety barrier

Work to improve safety by carrying out repairs to the barrier along the southbound carriageway starts this week. Lane closures will be in place on the southbound carriageway overnight, between 10pm and 6am, from Monday 27 February for 5 nights.

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 starts this week. Lane closures will be in place on the northbound carriageway overnight, between 9pm and 6am, from Monday 27 February for 6 nights (Monday to Friday only).

In addition, the northbound entry slip road at junction 12 will be closed overnight, between 9pm and 6am, from Thursday 2 March for 3 nights (Monday to Friday only).

M3 junctions 12 Chandlers Ford to 13 Eastleigh, Hampshire: signs

Work to keep road users informed by maintaining the signage along the M3 continues this week. The southbound exit slip road at junction 13 will be closed overnight, between 9pm and 6am, until Wednesday 1 March (Monday to Friday only). A clearly signed diversion will be in place via the Chilworth Roundabout.

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, from Monday 27 February for 9 weeks (Monday to Friday only).

In addition, the eastbound carriageway between the slips at junction 5 will be closed overnight, between 9pm and 6am, during the same period. Traffic will be diverted down and across the junction.

M4 junctions 6 Windsor to 7 Maidenhead, Berkshire: signs

Work to keep road users informed by maintaining the signage along the M4 continues this week. Lane closures will be in place on the east and westbound carriageways overnight, between 9pm and 6am, from Tuesday 28 February for 5 nights (Monday to Friday only).

M4 junction 7 Maidenhead, Berkshire: surveys

Work to improve journeys by carrying out surveys in preparation for converting the M4 into a Smart Motorway continues this week. A lane closure will be in place on the southbound Huntercombe Spur overnight, between 9pm and 6am, from Monday 27 February for 5 nights.

M4 junction 8/9 Maidenhead, Berkshire: drainage

Work to maintain road user safety by carrying out maintenance to the drainage system at the junction finishes this week. Lane closures will be in place on all approaches to the junction overnight, between 9pm and 6am, until Tuesday 28 February.

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, from Monday 27 February for 2 weeks (Monday to Friday only).

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. Lane closures will be in place on the westbound carriageway overnight, between 10pm and 6am, until Tuesday 28 February.

The westbound carriageway will then be fully closed overnight, between 10pm and 6am, on from Wednesday 1 March for 9 nights (Monday to Friday only). A clearly signed diversion will be in place via the A33 and A4.

M4 junction 12 Theale, West 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 eastbound entry slip road at the junction will be closed overnight, between 9pm and 6am, from Monday 27 February for 5 nights.

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 from Monday 27 February until August.

M27 junctions 3 Southampton to 2 Ower, Hampshire: resurfacing

Work to improve journeys by resurfacing the M27 westbound carriageway finishes this week. Lane closures will be in place on the westbound carriageway with traffic running along the hard shoulder only overnight, between 9pm and 6am, until Friday 3 March. Traffic will also be directed to exit at junction 3, cross the junction and return onto the M27 westbound carriageway via the entry slip road.

M27 junction 4 Chilworth, Hampshire: bridge joint

Work to maintain journeys by undertaking bridge joint replacement starts this week. The link from the M27 westbound carriageway to the M3 northbound carriageway will be closed overnight, between 10pm and 6am, from Monday 27 February for 2 weeks (Monday to Sunday). A clearly signed diversion will be in place via Junction 3, accessing the M3 from the M27 eastbound carriageway.

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

Work to improve journeys by resurfacing the M27 starts this week. The westbound carriageway from junction 8 to junction 7 will be closed overnight, between 10pm and 6am, from Monday 27 February for 2 weeks (Monday to Friday). A clearly signed diversion will be in place via the A27.

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, and between the M27 and Lordshill Roundabout will be closed overnight, between 10pm and 6am, on Saturday 4 and Sunday 5 March. A clearly signed diversion will be in place via the A3057 Romsey Road and Brownhill Way. In addition, lane closures will be in place on the southbound link from the M27 to the Lordshill Roundabout overnight, between 9pm and 6am, on Tuesday 28 February.

A3 Ockham to Guildford, Surrey: road markings and drainage

Work to maintain road user safety by renewing the road markings and carrying out drainage maintenance takes place this week. The A3 southbound carriageway will be closed from Ockham to the University Interchange at Guildford overnight, between 10pm and 6am, from Monday 27 February for 2 nights.

In addition, the A3 northbound carriageway will be closed from the University Interchange to Ockham overnight, between 10pm and 6am, from Wednesday 1 March for 2 nights.

A clearly signed diversion for the southbound closure will be in place via B2215 Portsmouth Road, A247, A25 towards Guildford, re-joining the A3 at the University Interchange. The diversion for the northbound closure is the same but in reverse.

A3(M) junction 5 Bedhampton, Hampshire: drainage

Work to maintain road user safety by carrying out drainage maintenance along the A3(M) takes place this week. Lane closures will be in place on the northbound carriageway overnight, between 9pm and 6am, from Monday 27 February for 2 nights.

A3(M) junction 3 Waterlooville, Hampshire: drainage

Work to maintain road user safety by carrying out drainage maintenance along the A3(M) takes place this week. Lane closures will be in place on the northbound carriageway overnight, between 9pm and 6am, from Wednesday 1 March for 5 nights (Monday to Friday only).

A31 St Leonards, Dorset: drainage

Work to maintain road user safety by carrying out drainage maintenance along the A31 continues this week. The A31 eastbound carriageway from the Boundary Lane junction to the Woolsbridge roundabout will be closed overnight, between 10pm and 6am, from Monday 27 February for 4 nights. Clearly signed diversions will be in place for local residents (Boundary Lane and Hurn Road) and for heavy goods vehicles (west along the A348, east along the B3073 and north up the A338).

In addition lane 1 of the eastbound carriageway between the Palmersford and Boundary Lane roundabouts will be closed overnight, between 9pm and 6am, from Friday 3 March for 5 nights (Monday to Friday only).

A34 Winchester to Sutton Scotney, Hampshire: drainage

Work to maintain road user safety by carrying out drainage maintenance starts this week. Lane closures will be in place on the northbound carriageway overnight, between 9pm and 6am, from Monday 27 February for 2 nights.

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

Work to improve road user’s journeys by resurfacing a section of the A34 northbound carriageway continues 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 Monday 6 March (Monday to Friday only). A clearly signed diversion will be in place via the A303, Andover and A343.

A34 Drayton to Didcot, Oxfordshire: resurfacing

Work to improve road user’s journeys by resurfacing a section of the A34 southbound carriageway starts this week. The A34 southbound will be closed from the A415 Marcham Interchange to the A4185 Chilton Junction overnight, between 10pm to 6am, from Monday 27 February for 12 nights (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 Oxford, Oxfordshire: surveys and street lighting

Work to improve journeys by carrying out surveys of the drainage system along the A34 continues this week. The northbound entry slip road at the A420 Botley Interchange will be closed overnight, between 10pm and 6am, on Tuesday 28 February. A clearly signed diversion will be in place south via the Hinksey Hill junction and return.

In addition, work to maintain road user safety by carrying out maintenance to the street lighting at the A44 Peartree Interchange continues this week. The southbound entry slip road will be closed overnight, between 10pm and 6am, from Monday 27 February for 5 nights. A clearly signed diversion will be in place via the Oxford ring-road, re-joining the A34 at the Hinksey Hill junction.

A303 Popham to Micheldever, Hampshire: drainage

Work to maintain road user safety by carrying out drainage maintenance along the A303 takes place this week. Lane closures will be in place on the east and westbound carriageways overnight, between 9pm and 6am, from Monday 27 February for 7 nights (Monday to Friday only).

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.

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 the aim of causing as little disruption as possible.

Bristol

M32 junction 2 to junction 3: MetroBus scheme (Bristol City Council work)

Narrow lanes with 40mph speed restrictions will be in operation northbound and southbound until April.

M4 Second Severn Crossing: structure maintenance

Westbound carriageway will be closed overnight from 8pm on 5 March until 6am on 6 March. Diversion will be clearly signposted.

Gloucestershire

M5 junction 10 to junction 11A: structure maintenance

Narrow lanes with contraflow and 50mph speed restrictions will be in operation northbound and southbound until July 2017.

M5 junction 12: resurfacing

Northbound entry slip road will be closed nightly, 8pm to 6am, from 27 February until 3 March. Diversion will be clearly signposted.

M5 junction 11A: resurfacing

Northbound entry slip road will be closed overnight from 8pm on 3 March until 6am on 4 March. Diversion will be clearly signposted.

A40 Elmbridge Court roundabout: construction work

Narrow lanes with 40mph speed restrictions will be in place until September 2017.

Wiltshire

M4 junction 16: roundabout reconstruction

Narrow lanes with 40mph speed restrictions will be in place on the eastbound exit slip road and westbound exit slip road until October 2017.

South Gloucestershire

M5 junction 16: sweeping

Southbound entry slip road will be closed overnight from 8pm on 3 March until 6am on 4 March. Diversion will be clearly signposted.

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.

The following summary of planned new and ongoing road improvements over the coming week is correct as of 24 February 2017 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.

M1 junction 6a (M25), Hertfordshire: resurfacing

Work to improve journeys by carrying out resurfacing continues this week. The dedicated link road from the M1 southbound to the M25 in both directions will be closed in both directions, between 10pm and 5.30am, from Monday 27 February for 4 nights. A clearly signed diversion will be in place via the M1 southbound to junction 6 and the A405 to M25 junction 21a.

M3 junction 2 (M25), Surrey: smart motorway improvement

Work to reduce congestion and improves journey times continues this week. The dedicated link road from the M3 northbound to the M25 in both directions will be closed for the entire weekend, from 9pm on Friday 3 March until 5.30am on Monday 6 March. A clearly signed pre-diversion will be in place for the M25 clockwise from M3 junction 4, via the A331, A31 and A3 to M25 junction 10. A clearly signed diversion will be in place for the M25 anti-clockwise via M3 junction 1 and return to M3 junction 2 and the M25 anti-clockwise. A clearly signed diversion for Heathrow Airport traffic will be in place via M3 junction 3, A322, A329M and the M4 to junction 4.

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.

The southbound carriageway between junctions 2 and 4a will be closed overnight, between 8pm and 5.30am, from Monday 27 February for 4 nights. A clearly signed diversion will be in place via M25 junction 13, A30 and the A327 to M3 junction 4a.

The northbound carriageway between junctions 4a and 2 will be closed overnight, between 8pm and 5.30am, from Monday 27 February for 4 nights. A clearly signed diversion will be in place via the A327, A30, M25 junction 13 and M25 junction 12.

The northbound carriageway between junctions 3 and 2 will be closed overnight, between 8pm and 7am, on Friday 3 March. A clearly signed diversion will be in place via the A322, A30, M25 junction 13 and M25 junction 12.

M4 junctions 3 (A312) to 1 Chiswick, West London: electrical installation

Work to improve safety by carrying out electrical installation will start this week. The eastbound carriageway, including Heston Services and junction 2, will be closed overnight, between 10pm and 5.30am, from Monday 27 February for 5 nights. Work on Friday will start at 11pm. A clearly signed diversion will be in place via the A4.

M4 junction 5 Langley, Berkshire: drainage survey

Work to maintain safety by carrying out drainage surveys will start this week. The westbound exit slip road will be closed overnight, between 10pm and 5am, on Tuesday 28 February. A clearly signed diversion will be in place via junction 6 and return.

M25 junction 10 (A3), Surrey: resurfacing

Work to improve journeys by carrying out resurfacing will start this week. The anti-clockwise carriageway between the slip roads will be closed overnight, between 10pm and 5.30am, from Monday 27 February for 4 nights. A clearly signed diversion will be in place via the exit and entry slip road.

M25 junction 12 (M3), Surrey: smart motorway improvement

Work to improve journeys by carrying out smart motorway improvement continues this week. The dedicated link roads from the M25 in both directions to the M3 southbound will be closed overnight, between 8pm and 5.30am, from Monday 27 February for 4 nights. A clearly signed diversion will be in place via M25 junction 13, A30 and the A327 to M3 junction 4a.

M25 Heathrow Airport Terminal 5, Greater London: survey

Work to maintain safety by carrying out surveys will start this week. The dedicated link road from the M25 clockwise to Heathrow Airport Terminal 5 will be closed overnight, between 10pm and 5am, on Saturday 4 March. A clearly signed diversion will be in place via M25 junction 15, M4 westbound to junction 5 and return.

M25 junction 15 (M4), Greater London: drainage survey

Work to maintain safety by carrying out drainage surveys will start this week. The dedicated link roads from the M25 in both directions to the M4 westbound will be closed overnight, between 10pm and 5am, on Monday 27 February. A clearly signed diversion will be in place via the M4 eastbound to junction 4 and return.

The dedicated link roads from the M25 in both directions to the M4 eastbound will be closed overnight, between 10pm and 5am, on Thursday 2 March. A clearly signed diversion will be in place via the M4 westbound to junction 5 and return.

M25 junction 17 Rickmansworth, Hertfordshire: electrical repair

Work to maintain safety by carrying out electrical repairs will start this week. The anti-clockwise exit and entry slip roads will be closed overnight, between 11pm and 6am, on Friday 3 March. A clearly signed diversion will be in place for the exit slip road via M25 junction 16, M40 eastbound to junction 1 and return. A clearly signed diversion will be in place for the entry slip road via junction 18 and return.

M25 junction 18 Chorleywood, Hertfordshire: electrical repair

Work to maintain safety by carrying out electrical repairs will start this week. The anti-clockwise exit and entry slip road will be closed overnight, between 10pm and 5am, from Wednesday 1 March for 2 nights. A clearly signed diversion will be in place for the exit slip road via junction 17 and return. A clearly signed diversion will be in place for the entry slip road via junction 20 and return.

M25 junction 19 (A41), Hertfordshire: electrical repair

Work to maintain safety by carrying out electrical repairs continues this week. The anti-clockwise entry slip road will be closed overnight, between 10pm and 5am, on Tuesday 28 February. A clearly signed diversion will be in place via the A41 northbound to M25 junction 20.

M25 junctions 21 (M1) to 21a St Albans, Hertfordshire: electrical repair

Work to maintain safety by carrying out electrical repairs will start this week. The clockwise carriageway will be closed overnight, between 10pm and 5am, on Thursday 2 March. A clearly signed diversion will be in place via the M1 northbound to junction 8 and A405 eastbound to M25 junction 21a.

M25 junction 21(M1), Hertfordshire: electrical repair

Work to maintain safety by carrying out electrical repairs will start this week. The dedicated link road from the M25 clockwise to the M1 northbound will be closed overnight, between 10pm and 5am, on Tuesday 28 February. A clearly signed diversion will be in place via M25 junction 21a, A405 southbound to M1 junction 6.

M25 junctions 25 Enfield, Greater London: tunnel/sign maintenance

Work to maintain safety by carrying out sign maintenance will start this week. The anti-clockwise entry slip road will be closed overnight, between 10pm and 5am, on Monday 27 February. A clearly signed diversion will be in place via junction 26 and return.

Work to test and maintain the Holmesdale Tunnel safety system continues this week. The clockwise entry slip road will be closed overnight, between 10pm and 5am, on Saturday 4 March. A clearly signed diversion will be in place via junction 24 and return.

M25 junctions 31 Lakeside to 30 Thurrock, Essex: electrical maintenance

Work to maintain safety by carrying out electrical maintenance will start this week. The anti-clockwise carriageway between junctions 31 and 30 will be closed overnight, between 10pm and 5.30am, on Monday 27 February, and from Thursday 2 March for 2 nights. Work on Friday will start at 11pm. A clearly signed diversion will be in place via the dedicated link road between junctions 31 and 30.

M25 junctions 30 Lakeside to 31 Thurrock, Essex: electrical maintenance

Work to maintain safety by carrying out electrical maintenance will start this week. The clockwise carriageway between junctions 30 and 31 will be closed overnight, between 10pm and 5.30am, on Tuesday 28 February, and between 11pm and 5.30am on Friday 3 March. A clearly signed diversion will be in place via the dedicated link road between junctions 30 and 31.

M25 junction 30 Thurrock, Essex: electrical maintenance

Work to maintain safety by carrying out electrical maintenance will start this week. The anti-clockwise entry slip road will be closed overnight, between 10pm and 5.30am, on Wednesday 1 March. A clearly signed diversion will be in place via the A13 eastbound to the A128, A127 and M25 junction 29.

M25 junction 31 Lakeside, Essex: lighting replacement

Work to maintain safety by carrying out lighting replacement continues this week. The clockwise entry slip road will be closed overnight, between 10pm and 5.30am, on Saturday 4 March. A clearly signed diversion will be in place via junction 30 and return.

A1(M) junction 2 Welham Green, Hertfordshire: vegetation clearance

Work to maintain safety by carrying out vegetation clearance will start this week. The southbound entry slip road will be closed overnight, between 11pm and 6am, on Friday 3 March. A clearly signed diversion will be in place via the A1001 to A1(M) junction 4 and return.

A3 Ockham, Surrey: litter clearance

Work to improve journeys by carrying out litter clearance continues this week. The southbound exit slip road will be closed overnight, between 11pm and 6am, on Friday 3 March. A clearly signed diversion will be in place via the A3100, A3 and the B2215.

A3 (M25), Surrey: litter clearance

Work to improve journeys by carrying out litter clearance continues this week. The northbound exit and entry slip roads will be closed overnight, between 10pm and 5am, on Thursday 2 March. A clearly signed diversion will be in place for the exit slip road via the Painshill junction and return. A clearly signed diversion will be in place for the entry slip road via the Ockham junction and return.

A13 (A1012), Essex: resurfacing

Work to improve journeys by carrying out resurfacing will start this week. The eastbound entry slip road will be closed overnight, between 10pm and 5am, on Thursday 2 March. A clearly signed diversion will be in place via M25 junction 30 and return.

The westbound exit and entry slip roads will be closed overnight, between 11pm and 6am, on Friday 3 March. A clearly signed diversion will be in place for the exit slip road via M25 junction 30 and return. A clearly signed diversion will be in place for the entry slip road via the A128 and return.

A282 (M25) Dartford – Thurrock Crossing: maintenance

Work to improve journeys at the Dartford Crossing continues this week. The following closures will be in place with fully signed diversions in place during the northbound east tunnel closures for oversized vehicles.

During the closure of the QEII Bridge, southbound traffic will be diverted via the east tunnel which will operate in reverse flow mode.

• Monday 27 February (9pm to 5.30am) northbound east tunnel
• Tuesday 28 February (9pm to 5.30am) northbound east tunnel
• Wednesday 1 March (9pm to 5.30am) northbound east tunnel
• Thursday 2 March (9pm to 5.30am) northbound east tunnel
• Friday 3 March (9pm to 5.30am) northbound east tunnel
• Saturday 4 March (9pm to 5.30am) northbound east tunnel
• Saturday 4 March (10pm to 5.30am) southbound QEII Bridge
• Sunday 5 March (9pm to 5.30am) northbound east tunnel

The QEII Bridge will have three (of four) lanes closed overnight, between 10pm and 5.30am, on Sunday 5 March.

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.

An exhibition of the shortlisted teams’ designs for the National Holocaust Memorial and education centre is on display and open to the public in Westminster Hall in Parliament from Monday 26 February.

The new National Holocaust Memorial and accompanying education centre will stand in Victoria Tower Gardens in the shadow of Parliament. This striking new structure will honour victims and survivors of Nazi persecution and will act as a national voice against hatred in our world today.

The international design competition sought to harness the very best architectural talent to create an emotionally powerful and sensitively designed memorial. Ninety-two teams expressed an interest in the project, with a shortlist of 10 invited to submit the concept designs on display as part of this exhibition.

Consultation with the public, survivors, those working in the field of Holocaust remembrance and education, and technical experts will play a crucial role in informing the final decision of the jury. Visitors are invited to give their views as part of the exhibition.

The exhibition is open from Monday 26 February until Saturday 11 March, from 9am each morning. Entrance is via Parliament’s Cromwell Green entrance. Read more about finding the Houses of Parliament.

Closing times will vary depending on parliamentary business each day and will close at 5:30pm on non-sitting days (Friday 3 and Saturday 4 March). Parliament has advised visitors to avoid busy periods, notably between 3pm and 7pm on Tuesday and Wednesday afternoons. Visitors will go through an airport-style search. For further information on entry arrangements, call Parliament’s Visitor Services on 020 7219 0516.

Children from poor backgrounds experience a worrying drop off in progress at secondary school, new research by the Social Mobility Commission reveals today (Monday 27 February).

It finds that the gap between poor pupils’ attainment at the end of primary school and the end of secondary school has widened. Since 2012, low-income families have been making less progress year on year, compared to their more affluent peers.

Even when bright pupils from low-income families outperform their more advantaged peers at primary school, they are likely to be overtaken at the next stage of their education.

The report warns that the secondary school drop off means that poor children are failing to finish school with the qualifications that will create opportunities for them to succeed in life.

The research, which was conducted by LKMco and Education Datalab using data from the National Pupil Database, finds that most of the gap (88%) in progress stems from differences in achievement between children at the same school, rather than variations between schools (12%).

The report suggests that this is partly due to the treatment of children on free school meals. These children are more likely to be placed in lower sets, have access to less qualified teachers and have lower expectations set for them by the school.

Home life can also have a big impact on progress with children from low-income families less likely to benefit from effective homework routines, access to books and computers, or cultural and sporting experiences.

Outcomes for children from low-income backgrounds are also affected by the fact that they are more at risk of behavioural issues and exclusion from school.

The research finds that poor pupils located in cities make more progress relative to their more affluent peers than those in rural areas and that the gap is greatest in large schools with average levels of pupil disadvantage.

It also finds that ethnic minority pupils make better progress at secondary schools than poor white children – partly because some evidence suggests that low-income ethnic minority parents seem to provide support that is more effective for their children at home.

The largest gaps in progress are between poor white children and their more affluent peers. Most low-income ethnic minority groups make progress that is in line with the national average for all pupils.

Head teachers interviewed as part of the research said that lower funding was already putting pupils progress at risk and that the prospects for improvement were bleak despite the new funding formula proposed by the government.

With health and social care funding streams also under pressure, schools are facing reductions in external support for children with mental health disorders or Special Educational Needs and Disabilities (SEND) who make the least progress in secondary schools.

The Rt Hon Alan Milburn, chair of the Social Mobility Commission, said:

One of the shocking features of our education system is that the gap between poor pupils and their better-off peers increases during their time in school rather than reducing.

This new research suggests that the progress poor pupils make in primary school is all but wiped out during secondary. The consequence is that successive generations of poor children are being let down by a school system that is supposed to be there to help them move up and get on.

This is not just an issue for the government. If social mobility is to improve, schools need to do more to bridge the education attainment divide between poorer children and their better-off classmates. Closing the gap needs to be top of mind for every teacher in every school.

The government can help by setting an explicit target for narrowing the attainment gap at CGSE and by doing more to get the best teachers into the toughest secondary schools.

Lead author Bart Shaw, from education think tank LKMco said:

Whilst we should be concerned about the high attaining pupils from low-income families who get overtaken at secondary school, it is at least as important to focus on low and middle-attaining pupils from poorer backgrounds.

These children will continue to achieve poorly at GCSE and have diminished life chances unless more is done to accelerate their progress at secondary school.

Our research has found that teacher expectations and actions taken by schools can have a profound impact on outcomes. Parents also have an important role to play by creating an effective home learning environment and taking an active interest in their children’s education.

• children on free school meals achieve almost half a GCSE grade less progress in ‘Attainment 8’ core subjects than better-off pupils
• 88% of this gap is due to differences between pupils at the same school, meaning that only 12% is due to variations between schools
• school culture: pupils from low-income families are most likely to make progress in secondary schools that focus on them, both in terms of setting and sharing high expectations for pupils
• successful schools use data to rack pupils’ progress and intervene swiftly and flexibly when pupils fall behind
• high-quality teachers who believe that poor children are capable of making progress are key to ensuring progress
• the teaching of pupils with SEND needs should be prioritised and specialist provision should be easily and promptly accessed where needed.
• pupils from low-income families are less likely to make progress when they are grouped by ability from an early age

Key recommendations:

For government:

• ensure funding cuts do not exacerbate the problem of poor pupils failing to make good progress at secondary school
• make additional funding available for schools to buy-in high-quality specialist provision for SEND pupils
• tackle teacher recruitment issues in areas where pupils from low-income families make low progress
• halt plans to increase selection to prevent further segregation of pupils from low-income backgrounds
• set up an exclusion fund for specialist provision to reduce the changes of ‘at risk’ children being excluded
• review the quality of specialist provision for looked-after children and make more funding available to offer high-quality support for these children

For secondary schools:

• head teachers must ensure that resources are targeted at KS3 and year 7 pupils making the transition from primary school to the same level or beyond the resources targeted at KS4
• head teachers should develop a school culture of universally high expectations and promote practices that support those expectations
• schools should make regular use of data to analyse progress in order to intervene as early as possible when pupils’ progress, especially those from low economic backgrounds, stagnates or drops off.
• heads of departments and senior leaders should exercise great caution in using setting and streaming practices that can negatively impact on pupils from low-income backgrounds
• all staff in schools, particularly school leaders, should prioritise support for pupils with SEND, for example, by providing continuing training which improves teachers’ skills and confidence in providing ‘quality first’ teaching in every classroom
• all school staff should improve their understanding of teaching approaches that support low prior attainers and pupils from low-income backgrounds
• senior leaders should reduce exclusion rates, particularly of pupils from low-income families.
• secondary schools should provide early and regular careers guidance that makes clear the links between progress at school and the freedom to choose from a wide range of careers

Notes for editors

1. The Social Mobility Commission is an advisory, non-departmental public body established under the Life Chances Act 2010 as modified by the Welfare Reform and Work Act 2016. It has a duty to assess progress in improving social mobility in the United Kingdom and to promote social mobility in England. It currently consists of 4 commissioners and is supported by a small secretariat.

2. The commission board currently comprises:
   • Alan Milburn (chair)
   • Baroness Gillian Shephard (deputy chair)
   • Paul Gregg, Professor of Economic and Social Policy, University of Bath
   • David Johnston, Chief Executive of the Social Mobility Foundation
3. The functions of the commission include:
   • monitoring progress on improving social mobility
   • providing published advice to ministers on matters relating to social mobility
   • undertaking social mobility advocacy
4. For further information, please contact Kirsty Walker at the Social Mobility Commission by: