Tag Archives: HM Government

The following summary of planned new and ongoing road improvements over the coming week is correct as of 17 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 will start 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 20 February for 5 nights. Work on Friday will start at 11pm. A clearly signed diversion will be in place via the M1 southbound to junction 6 and the A405 to M25 junction 21a.

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 20 February for 5 nights. Work on Saturday morning will finish at 7am. 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 4 and 2 will be closed overnight, between 8pm and 5.30am, from Monday 20 February for 2 nights. A clearly signed diversion will be in place via the A331, A30, M25 junction 13 and M25 junction 12.

The northbound exit slip road at junction 4a will be closed overnight, between 8pm and 5.30am, from Monday 20 February for 2 nights. A clearly signed diversion will be in place via junction 4 and the A30.

The northbound carriageway between junctions 4a and 2 will be closed overnight, between 8pm and 5.30am, from Wednesday 22 February for 2 nights. A clearly signed diversion will be in place via the A327, A30, M25 junction 13 and M25 junction 12.

M4 junction 4, Heathrow Airport, Greater London: 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 Wednesday 22 February. A clearly signed diversion will be in place via junction 5 and return.

The westbound entry slip road will be closed overnight, between 10pm and 5am, on Thursday 23 February. A clearly signed diversion will be in place via junction 3 and return.

M4 junction 4b (M25), Greater London: drainage survey

Work to maintain safety by carrying out drainage surveys continues this week. The dedicated link road from the M4 westbound to the M25 in both directions will be closed overnight, between 11pm and 5am, on Friday 24 February. A clearly signed diversion will be in place via junction 5 and return.

M11 junction 6 (M25), Essex: resurfacing

Work to improve journeys by carrying out resurfacing will start this week. The dedicated link road from the M11 southbound to the M25 anti-clockwise will be closed overnight, between 10pm and 5.30am, from Monday 20 February for 5 nights. Work on Friday will start at 11pm. A clearly signed diversion will be in place via M25 junction 28 and return.

M25 junction 2 (A2), Kent: resurfacing

Work to improve journeys by carrying out resurfacing will start this week. The anti-clockwise exit slip road will be closed overnight, between 10pm and 5am, on Saturday 25 February. A clearly signed diversion will be in place via junction 1a and return.

M25 junction 3 Swanley, Kent: vegetation clearance

Work to maintain safety by carrying out vegetation clearance will start this week. The anti-clockwise exit and entry slip roads will be closed overnight, between 10pm and 5am from Wednesday 22 February for 2 nights. A clearly signed diversion will be in place for the exit slip road via junction 2 and return. A clearly signed diversion will be in place for the entry slip road via junction 4 and return.

M25 junction 4 Orpington, Kent: vegetation clearance

Work to maintain safety by carrying out vegetation clearance will start this week. The anti-clockwise exit slip road will be closed overnight, between 11pm and 6am on Friday 24 Feburary. A clearly signed diversion will be in place via junction 3 and return.

M25 junction 10 (A3), Surrey: resurfacing

Work to improve journeys by carrying out resurfacing will start this week. The anti-clockwise exit slip road will be closed overnight, between 10pm and 5.30am, from Monday 20 February for 2 nights, and between 11pm and 6am on Friday 24 February. A clearly signed diversion will be in place via junction 9 and return.

M25 junctions 10 (A3) to 11 Chertsey, Surrey: bridge joint replacement

Work to improve journeys by carrying out bridge joint replacement on the structure that carries the M25 over the River Wey and the South West Trains railway line continues this week. The clockwise carriageway will be closed overnight, between 9pm and 8am, on Saturday 25 February. A clearly signed diversion will be in place via the A3, A245, A320 and the A317.

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 20 February for 5 nights. Work on Saturday morning will finish at 7am. A clearly signed diversion will be in place via M25 junction 13, A30 and the A327 to M3 junction 4a.

The dedicated link road from the M25 clockwise to the M3 northbound will be closed overnight, between 8pm and 5.30am, from Monday 20 February for 3 nights. A clearly signed diversion will be in place via M25 junction 13 and return.

M25 junction 19 (A41), Hertfordshire: electrical repair

Work to maintain safety by carrying out electrical repairs will start this week. The clockwise exit slip road will be closed overnight, between 10pm and 5am, from Monday 20 February for 2 nights. A clearly signed diversion will be in place via M25 junction 20 and the A41.

M25 junction 20 Hunton Bridge, 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 5am, on Friday 24 February. A clearly signed diversion will be in place for the exit slip road via junction 18 and return. A clearly signed diversion will be in place for the entry slip road via junction 21a and return.

M25 junction 21a St Albans, Hertfordshire: 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, on Monday 20 February. A clearly signed diversion will be in place for the M25 via the exit and entry slip roads.

M25 junction 21 (M1), Hertfordshire: resurfacing

Work to improve journeys by carrying out resurfacing will start this week. The dedicated link road from the M25 anti-clockwise to the M1 northbound carriageway will be closed overnight, between 10pm and 5.30am, on Monday 20 February. A clearly signed pre-diversion will be in place via M25 junction 21a, A405 and M1 junction 6.

M25 junctions 25 Enfield to 26 Waltham Abbey, Essex: tunnel maintenance

Work to test and maintain the Holmesdale Tunnel safety systems continues this week. The clockwise entry slip road will be closed overnight, between 10pm and 5.30am, from Wednesday 22 February for 4 consecutive nights. A clearly signed diversion will be in place via junction 24 and return.

M25 junction 31 Lakeside, Essex: technology installation

Work to maintain safety by carrying out technology installation will start this week. The clockwise entry slip road will be closed overnight, between 10pm and 5.30am, from Wednesday 22 February for 2 nights. A clearly signed diversion will be in place via junction 30 and return.

A2 Dartford Heath, Kent: resurfacing

Work to improve journeys by carrying out resurfacing will start this week. The eastbound exit and entry slip roads will be closed overnight, between 10pm and 5am, on Monday 20 February. A clearly signed diversion will be in place for the exit slip road via M25 junction 2 and return. A clearly signed diversion will be in place for the entry slip road via the Black Prince Interchange.

The westbound exit and entry slip roads will be closed overnight, between 10pm and 5am, on Tuesday 21 February. A clearly signed diversion will be in place for the exit slip road via the Black Prince Interchange and return. A clearly signed diversion will be in place for the entry slip road via M25 junction 2 and return.

A3 Esher, Surrey: litter clearance

Work to improve journeys by carrying out litter clearance will start this week. The southbound exit and entry slip roads will be closed overnight, between 10pm and 5am, on Monday 20 February. 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 Tolworth junction and return.

The northbound exit and entry slip roads will be closed overnight, between 10pm and 5am, on Tuesday 21 February. A clearly signed diversion for the exit slip road will be in place via the Tolworth junction and return. A clearly signed diversion for the entry slip road will be in place via the Painshill junction and return.

A3 Painshill, Surrey: litter clearance

Work to improve journeys by carrying out litter clearance will start this week. The southbound exit and entry slip road will be closed overnight, between 10pm and 5am, on Wednesday 22 February. A clearly signed diversion will be in place for the exit slip road via M25 junction 10 and return. A clearly signed diversion will be in place for the entry slip road via the Esher junction and return.

The northbound exit slip road will be closed overnight, between 10pm and 5am, on Thursday 23 February. A clearly signed diversion will be in place via the Esher junction and return.

A3 (M25), Surrey: litter clearance

Work to improve journeys by carrying out litter clearance will start this week. The northbound entry slip road will be closed overnight, between 10pm and 5am, on Thursday 23 February. A clearly signed diversion will be in place via the Ockham junction and return.

The southbound exit and entry slip roads will be closed overnight, between 11pm and 6am, on Friday 24 February. A clearly signed diversion will be in place for the exit slip road via the Ockham junction and return. A clearly signed diversion will be in place for the entry slip road via the Painshill junction and return.

A13 (M25) to (A1012), Essex: technology testing

Work to maintain safety by carrying out technology testing continues this week. The A13 eastbound between the M25 and the A1012 will be closed overnight, between 10pm and 5.30am, on Monday 20 February. A clearly signed diversion will be in place via the dedicated link road between junction 30 and 31, A1306 and the A1012.

A13 (A1012) to (A1306), Essex: technology testing

Work to maintain safety by carrying out technology testing continues this week. The A13 westbound between North Stifford and Wennington will be closed overnight, between 10pm and 5.30am, on Monday 20 February and Wednesday 22 February. A clearly signed diversion will be in place via the A1012, M25 junction 31 and the A1306.

A13 (A1306) to (A1012), Essex: technology testing

Work to maintain safety by carrying out technology testing continues this week. The A13 eastbound between the Wennington and North Stifford will be closed overnight, between 10pm and 5.30am, from Thursday 23 February for 2 nights. Work on Friday will start at 11pm. A clearly signed diversion will be in place via the A1306, M25 junction 31, A1306 and A1012.

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:

• Monday 20 February (9pm to 5.30am) northbound west tunnel
• Tuesday 21 February (9pm to 5.30am) northbound west tunnel
• Wednesday 22 February (9pm to 5.30am) northbound west tunnel
• Thursday 23 February (9pm to 5.30am) northbound west tunnel
• Friday 24 February (9pm to 5.30am) northbound east tunnel
• Saturday 25 February (9pm to 5.30am) northbound west tunnel
• Sunday 26 February (9pm to 5.30am) northbound east tunnel

The QEII Bridge will have three (of four) lanes closed overnight, between 10pm and 5.30am, from Monday 20 February for 5 nights. Work on Friday will start at 11pm.

A282 junction 1a Swanscombe, Kent: tunnel maintenance

Work to maintain safety by carrying out tunnel maintenance continues this week. The northbound entry slip road will be closed overnight, between 9pm and 5.30am from Monday 20 February for 4 nights and on Saturday 25 February. A clearly signed diversion will be in place via the A282 southbound to junction 1b and return.

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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Member protection, funding and investment, scheme affordability and consolidation will be reviewed as part of the consultation.

The government will also consider strengthened powers for The Pensions Regulator.

The green paper will be a wide ranging call for evidence from employers, the pensions industry and consumers.

Background

Defined benefit schemes, many of which are also known as ‘final salary pensions’, are an important pillar of the UK economy and our pensions system. Currently, around 11 million members in the UK will rely on a defined benefit scheme for all or part of their retirement income and defined benefit pensions hold around £1.5 trillion of assets.

Increased life expectancy, changes to working patterns and the economy mean that defined benefit schemes are operating in very different circumstances from when they first became popular.

The purpose of the green paper

The government is committed to a system that works for employers, schemes and the 11 million people who are in a defined benefit scheme.

The green paper will consider the powers of The Pensions Regulator and encourage a debate about striking the right balance between the needs and aspirations of sponsoring employers, members, the Pension Protection Fund, and the wider economy to ensure that no one group is unfairly disadvantaged.

Minister for Pensions, Richard Harrington, said:

People need to have confidence in their pension and it is vital that they feel that they are secure. With recent high profile cases highlighting the risks inherent in defined benefit pensions, we want to ensure that these important pension schemes remain sustainable for the future and that the right protections are in place for members.

Over the coming months we’ll be working closely with the pensions industry, employers and scheme members to see what more can be done to increase confidence in defined benefit pensions.

While there is no evidence of a systematic issue, the government recognises that recent high profile cases have raised concerns regarding pensions and is looking to improve confidence in the sector and hear from a wide range of experts, employers and consumers about what action or support could be put in place.

The green paper looks at a range of issues that have been raised by various stakeholders. In particular it focuses on 4 key areas so that we can start to build consensus on whether we may want to reform the current system. They are:

• funding and investment

• scheme affordability

• member protection

• consolidation.

Media enquiries for this press release – 0203 267 5117

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From: First published: 20 February 2017 We have changed how we confirm online applications for Land Registry portal and Business Gateway users. To help customers process their work and save time, we have reduced the number of documents we se… read more

The following summary of planned new and ongoing road improvements over the coming week is correct as of 17 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.

A38 – Claymills to Wood End Lane: carriageway repairs

Southbound carriageway closed overnight between 8pm and 6am from 20 February until 26 February. A diversion route will be clearly signposted.

A449 – Gailey Roundabout to Brewood Road: carriageway repairs

South and northbound carriageway closed overnight between 8pm and 6am from 20 February until 26 February. A diversion route will be clearly signposted.

A45 – A4423 to Church Road: carriageway repairs

Eastbound carriageway closed overnight between 8pm and 6am from 20 February until 25 February. A diversion route will be clearly signposted.

A45 – Stivichall to Tollbar End: carriageway repairs

Westbound carriageway closed overnight for one night from 8pm 21 February until 6am the following morning (22 February). A diversion route will be clearly signposted.

A45 – Stonebridge A45/A46 Stivichall Junction and A45/A46 Tollbar: carriageway repairs

Eastbound carriageway and slip roads closed overnight on 22 and 24 February from 8pm until 6am the following morning. A diversion route will be clearly signposted.

A46 – Oversley to Shottery: carriageway repairs

Carriageway will be closed in both directions overnight between 8pm and 6am from 20 February until 22 February. A diversion route will be clearly signposted.

A46 – Salford Priors to Oversley: carriageway repairs

Northbound carriageway will be closed overnight between 8pm and 6am from 20 February until 26 February. A diversion route will be clearly signposted.

A46 – Stoneleigh to Stivichall and exit slip road: carriageway repairs

Northbound carriageway and exit slip road closed overnight for one night from 8pm 20 February until 6am the following morning (22 February). A diversion route will be clearly signposted.

A46 – Binley Wood to Tollbar: carriageway repairs

Southbound carriageway closed overnight on 23 and 24 February from 8pm until 6am the following morning. A diversion route will be clearly signposted.

A46 – Stoneleigh to Stivichall: carriageway repairs

Southbound carriageway closed overnight for one night from 8pm 23 February until 6am the following morning (24 February). A diversion route will be clearly signposted.

A5 – Wall Island to Muckley Corner: carriageway resurfacing

Westbound carriageway closed overnight between 7pm and 6.30am from 20 February until 26 February. A diversion route will be clearly signposted.

A5 – Churchbridge to Turf Island: carriageway resurfacing

Eastbound carriageway closed overnight for one night from 9pm 20 February until 6am the following morning (21 February). A diversion route will be clearly signposted.

A5 – Chase Road to Rising Sun island: carriageway resurfacing

Westbound carriageway closed overnight for one night from 9pm 22 February until 6am the following morning (23 February). A diversion route will be clearly signposted.

A50 – Meir Tunnel to Stanley Matthews Way: carriageway repairs

Westbound carriageway closed overnight between 8pm and 6am from 20 February until 26 February. A diversion route will be clearly signposted.

A50 – Heron Cross to Stanley Matthews Interchange Burton Road entry slip: carriageway repairs

Westbound carriageway closed 24 hour 7 days a week from 8 Feb ongoing until 7 July. A diversion route will be clearly signposted.

A50 – Blythe Bridge Entry Slip Road to Meir Tunnel: carriageway repairs

Westbound carriageway closed overnight for one night from 8pm 20 February until 6am the following morning (21 February). A diversion route will be clearly signposted.

A50 – Heron Cross exit slip road to Foley Road Interchange: carriageway repairs

Eastbound carriageway and all associated slip roads closed overnight for one night from 8pm 20 February until 6am the following morning (21 February). A diversion route will be clearly signposted.

A50 – Foley Road exit slip road to Trentham Road: carriageway repairs

Eastbound carriageway and all associated slip roads closed overnight between 8pm and 6am from 21 February until 24 February. A diversion route will be clearly signposted.

A50 – Heron Cross exit slip road to Meir Tunnel: carriageway repairs

Eastbound carriageway and all associated slip roads closed overnight between 8pm and 6am from 24 February until 26 February. A diversion route will be clearly signposted.

A500 – Talke Island including exit slip roads and approaches: carriageway repairs

Eastside of the gyratory including all associated slip roads and approaches closed 24 hours 7 days a week from 11 January ongoing until 30 March. A diversion route will be clearly signposted.

M42 – junction 5 exit slip road: carriageway works

Northbound exit slip road closed overnight between 10pm and 6am from 20 February until 23 February. A diversion route will be clearly signposted.

M42 – M6 junction 4a to M42: carriageway works

Southbound carriageway closed overnight between 10pm and 5am from 20 February until 25 February. A diversion route will be clearly signposted.

M42 – junction 3a to junction 5 including junction 4 entry slip: carriageway works

Northbound carriageway including junction 4 entry slip road closed overnight between 10pm and 6am from 20 February until 24 February. A diversion route will be clearly signposted.

M42 – junction 1 exit and entry slip road: carriageway works

Entry slip and exit slip roads closed overnight in both directions between 9pm and 5.30am from 20 February until 26 February. A diversion route will be clearly signposted.

M42 – junction 4 entry slip road: carriageway works

Southbound entry road closed overnight from 10pm 22 February until 5am the following morning (23 February). A diversion route will be clearly signposted.

M42 – junction 5 entry slip to junction 6: carriageway works

Northbound carriageway closed overnight between 10pm and 6am from 23 February until 26 February. A diversion route will be clearly signposted.

M42 – junction 6 exit slip road: carriageway works

Northbound exit slip road closed overnight between 10pm and 6am from 23 February until 26 February. A diversion route will be clearly signposted.

M42 – junction 5 to junction 6: carriageway works

Northbound carriageway closed overnight between 10pm and 6am from 17 February until 19 February. A diversion route will be clearly signposted.

M5 – junction 4a to junction 5: carriageway works

Southbound carriageway closed overnight between 8pm and 6am from 20 February to 24 February and then at the same time on 26 February. A diversion route will be clearly signposted.

M5 junction 5 to junction 4a: carriageway works

Northbound carriageway including northbound entry slip at junction 5 closed overnight between 8pm and 6am from 20 February until 22 February. A diversion route will be clearly signposted.

M5 junction 6 to junction 5: carriageway works

Northbound carriageway including junction 6 northbound entry slip closed overnight between 8pm and 6am from 20 February until 22 February. A diversion route will be clearly signposted.

M5 junction 5 to junction 6: carriageway works

Southbound carriageway including southbound entry slip closed overnight between 8pm and 6am on 23 February. A diversion route will be clearly signposted.

M50 – junction 1 to junction 2: major scheme works

Westbound carriageway closed overnight between 8pm and 6am from 20 February until 26 February. A diversion route will be clearly signposted.

M50 – junction 4 to junction 2: major scheme works

Westbound carriageway closed overnight between 8pm and 6am from 20 February until 22 February. A diversion route will be clearly signposted.

M54 – junction 5 to junction 6: carriageway repairs

Westbound carriageway closed overnight between 8pm and 6am from 20 February until 26 February. A diversion route will be clearly signposted.

M54 – junction 5 entry slip road: carriageway repairs

Westbound entry slip road carriageway closed overnight between 8pm and 6am from 20 February until 26 February. A diversion route will be clearly signposted.

M54 – junction 6 entry slip road: carriageway repairs

Westbound entry slip road carriageway closed overnight between 8pm and 6am from 24 February until 27 February. A diversion route will be clearly signposted.

M54 – junction 4 to junction 3: carriageway repairs

Eastbound carriageway closed overnight between 10pm and 6am from 24 February until 27 February. A diversion route will be clearly signposted.

M54 – junction 3 to junction 4: carriageway repairs

Westbound carriageway closed overnight between 10pm and 6am from 24 February until 27 February. A diversion route will be clearly signposted.

M6 – junction 10 to junction 7 including junction 10 and 9 entry slip roads and link from M5: carriageway works

Southbound carriageway and associated slip roads closed overnight between 9pm and 6am from 20 February until 25 February. A diversion route will be clearly signposted.

M6 – junction 11 entry slip road to junction 10 exit including M54 junction 1 entry slip road: carriageway works Southbound carriageway and associated slip roads closed overnight between 9pm and 6am from 20 February until 25 February. A diversion route will be clearly signposted.

M6 – junction 7 to junction 8: carriageway works

Northbound carriageway closed overnight between 9pm and 6am from 20 February until 24 February. A diversion route will be clearly signposted.

M6 – junction 7 entry slip road: carriageway works

Northbound entry slip road closed 24 hours 7 day days a week from 17 February ongoing until 24 February. A diversion route will be clearly signposted.

M6 – junction 7 to junction 10 including junction 9 entry slip and link from M5 northbound: carriageway works

Northbound carriageway and associated slip roads closed overnight between 9pm and 6am from 20 February until 25 February. A diversion route will be clearly signposted.

M6 – junction 10 entry slip road to junction 11 exit slip road: carriageway works

Northbound carriageway and associated slip roads closed overnight between 9pm and 6am from 20 February until 25 February. A diversion route will be clearly signposted.

M6 – junction 7 entry slip road: carriageway works

Northbound entry slip road closed overnight between 9pm and 9am from 24 February until 26 February. A diversion route will be clearly signposted.

M6 – junction 7 to junction 8: carriageway works

Northbound carriageway closed overnight between 9pm and 9am from 24 February until 26 February. A diversion route 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.

read more