HIGHWAYS AGENCY News
Release (HA-16-08) issued by The Government News Network on 17 March 2008
The Highways
Agency will be removing almost two thirds of roadworks from
England's motorways and major A roads in time for the holiday
getaway to help road users with their journeys this Easter.
As the first holiday weekend of the year gets under way, the
Highways Agency is also encouraging road users to avoid
unnecessary breakdowns and delays by checking their route before
they travel, carrying out routine safety checks and making sure
their vehicle is topped up with fuel.
To help drivers make smoother journeys over the busy weekend, 38
sets of roadworks will be completed and a further 47 will be
suspended between 6am on Thursday 20 March and midnight on Monday
24 March. Roadworks at 43 locations will remain in place for the
safety of drivers and their passengers.
The move is part of the Highways Agency's commitment to ease
congestion, helping drivers to make their journeys safely and reliably.
Derek Turner, Highways Agency Director of Traffic Operations, said:
"Easter is the first opportunity for many people to enjoy a
break since Christmas. The Highways Agency is helping to make
journeys easier over the holiday by taking all possible steps to
complete and suspend as many road works as possible on the
motorways and major A roads in England.
"To help people to a smoother getaway, we are encouraging
them to plan their route and check for delays before starting
their journey, and to make simple checks to their vehicle's
tyres, oil and water as well as topping up with fuel. We also
encourage people to plan their journeys using the travel and
weather information that is available on websites and radio bulletins."
Highways Agency Traffic Officers will be patrolling the motorways
24-hours a day throughout the weekend to deal with incidents and
clear them as quickly as possible. They will be supported by
Incident Support Units and operators in our seven regional control
centres who will be monitoring the network to help keep traffic
moving smoothly.
To help reduce the impact of incidents on the roads, the Highways
Agency has just invested £2.5 million in the latest hi-tech
equipment to enable the police to map serious accident scenes
quickly showing skid marks and impact points. This initiative,
together with our Traffic Officers and better information to
drivers, will help keep the motorways moving.
The Agency launched its Fit to Tow DVD and leaflet in February,
in the lead up to the holiday season, to urge drivers not to take
their caravan, trailer or horse trailer out on the road without a
proper maintenance check; especially if it has been left standing
for most of the year. With a simple once-over before setting off,
drivers can avoid breaking down and delaying their journey and
that of other road users.
Drivers can help prepare for their journey by tuning into the
Highways Agency's Traffic Radio, available on DAB digital
radio and at http://www.trafficradio.org.uk.
A temporary extension of the service is also available on 87.7FM
until Sunday 23 March within a five mile radius of Hemel Hempstead
to help drivers through the M1 widening works.
Over 2500 electronic message signs will give drivers information
about road conditions. A number of these now display messages that
tell drivers how long it will take them to get to the next junction.
Changeable weather can have significant effect on driving
conditions so dedicated weather forecasters from the Met Office
will be based in our National Traffic Control Centre over Easter
to provide information and advice to drivers in the event of
severe weather occurring.
For up to date information on traffic conditions and roadworks
road users can also visit our website at http://www.highways.gov.uk
or call the Highways Agency Information Line on 08457 50 40 30.
Notes to editors
1 Incidents involving vehicles towing
caravans or trailers accounted for 43 fatalities and 1400 injuries
on England's roads in 2006. For further information on how to
be Fit to Tow, visit http://www.highways.gov.uk/towing
2. The Highways Agency is an executive agency of the Department
for Transport. We manage, maintain and improve England's
motorways and major A roads on behalf of the Secretary of State.
3. Real-time traffic information for England's motorways and
major A roads is available:
* From the web at http://www.highways.gov.uk/trafficinfo
* By phone from the Highways Agency 24-hour voice activated
phone service on 08700 660 115. (Calls from BT landlines to 0870
numbers will cost no more than 8p per minute; mobile calls usually
cost more).
Before using a mobile, find a safe place to park.
Never stop on the hard shoulder of a motorway except in an
emergency. Make sure it's safe and legal before you call.
4. For more general information about the Highways Agency and its
work, visit the Highways Agency website http://www.highways.gov.uk,
or telephone the Highways Agency Information Line on 08457 50 40
30 at any time. (Calls to 0845 numbers cost no more than 3p/min
from BT residential landlines. Call charges from other landlines
and mobile networks may vary)
Safe driving at roadworks
During 2006 two workers were killed and 19 seriously injured in
the course of their work on Highways Agency roads.
For the safety of all road users and roadworkers, when you are
approaching roadworks:
* Keep within the speed limit - it is there for your
safety.
* Get into the correct lane in good time - don't
keep switching.
* Concentrate on the road ahead, not the
roadworks.
* Be alert for works' traffic leaving or
entering roadworks.
* Keep a safe distance - there could be
queues in front.
* Observe all signs - they are there to help you.
ROADWORKS REMAINING: FOR SAFETY REASONS, THE FOLLOWING ROADWORKS
WILL REMAIN; Total remaining: 43 roadwork schemes (82.75 miles)
SOUTH EAST
M25 Junction 1 - 3
Nearest town Dartford
Carriageway
widening. Open excavations. Narrow lanes, speed limit reduced to
50mph for safety. Moderate delays expected.
A30 Runnymede Roundabout to Junction 13
Parapet replacement.
Lane one will be closed, speed reduced to 50mph for safety. Slight
delays expected.
A27 west of Southerham roundabout
Nearest town
Lewes
Widening with roundabout improvements, approximately
400m east of Beddingham roundabout. Narrow lanes on carriageway
and single lanes on both Beddingham and Southerham roundabouts.
Open excavations. Speed 40mph for safety. Slight delays expected.
A2 Pepperhill to Cobham
Near Gravesend
Widening works.
Narrow lanes and contraflow between Marling Cross and Cobham. Open
excavations and no safety barrier. Speed reduced to 50mph for
safety. Slight delays expected.
A2 Junction 7
Near Broughton Hill
Embankment works and
safety fence repairs. Lane one closure Londonbound. Open
excavations. Speed reduced to 50mph for safety. Slight delays expected.
A27 Tangmere to Boxgrove
Construction of new footbridge. Lane
one closure on both east and westbound carriageways. Open
excavations. Slight delays expected.
A3 Hindhead - Lea Coach Road to Boundless Road
Nearest town
Hindhead
Construction of new bypass. Open excavations. Single
lane closure in both directions. 40mph speed limit for safety.
Slight delays expected.
A3 Hindhead to Liphook Junction
Nearest town
Hindhead
Construction of new bypass. Traffic using contraflow
on southbound carriageway as northbound carriageway closed.
Diversion around Hammer Lane excavation. Speed reduced to 40/50
mph. Open excavations. Slight delays expected.
M27 Junction 3 - 4
Near Southampton
Widening works.
Narrow lanes and 50mph speed limit for safety due to incomplete
works. Slight delays expected.
M27 Junction 11 - 12
Fareham to Gosport
Widening works.
Narrow lanes and 50mph for safety due to incomplete works. Slight
delays expected.
A27 Polling Lay-by
Near Arundel
Carriageway resurfacing
and embankment stabilising. Open excavations. Narrow lanes
westbound and 50mph for safety.
M1 Junction 1 - 3
Near London
Improvements to electronic
message signs. Open excavations. Narrow lanes and speed reduced to
50mph for safety. Slight delays expected.
M4 Junction 5 - 7
Nearest town Slough
Bridge
improvements. No hardshoulder or edge protection. Narrow lanes and
50mph speed limit for safety. Slight delays expected.
M4/A34 Junction 13 roundabout
Near Chievely
Bridge
improvements. Temporary safety barrier in place. Lane closure on
roundabout and slip roads. Speed reduced to 40mph for safety.
Slight delays expected.
M11 Junction 5 - 6
Near Theydon Bois
Major road renewal.
Open excavations. Narrow lanes and speed reduced to 50mph for
safety. Slight delays expected.
EAST
M1 Junction 6a to 10
Near Hemel Hempstead
Major widening
works from Junction 6a to Junction 8. Narrow lanes and contraflow
on southbound carriageway. Speed reduced to 50mph for safety. Open
excavations. Moderate delays expected.
EAST MIDLANDS
A1 Gonnerby Moor Roundabout
Nearest town
Grantham
Junction improvements. Speed reduced to 50mph for
safety. Slight delays expected.
A1 Colsterworth Roundabout
Nearest town
Colsterworth
Junction improvements. Open excavations. Narrow
lanes in both directions. Speed reduced to 50mph for safety.
Slight delays expected.
A1 Blyth Roundabout - A1(M)
Junction improvement. Open
excavations. Narrow lanes in both directions and speed reduced to
40/50mph for safety. Slight delays expected.
A1 Markham Moor Roundabout
Nearest town Tuxford
Junction
improvement. Open excavations. Narrow lanes in both directions.
Speed reduced to 50mph for safety. Slight delays expected.
A1 Carpenters Lodge Roundabout
Near Wothorpe
Junction
improvements. Open excavations. Narrow lanes in both directions.
Speed reduced to 50mph for safety. Slight delays expected.
M1 Junction 25 - 28
Near Nottingham
Widening works. Open
excavations. Narrow lanes in both directions. Speed reduced to
50mph between junctions 26 and 27. Slight delays expected.
A5 Welton Railway under bridge
Near Welton
Bridge parapet
protection. Open excavations and incomplete safety barrier. Single
lane closure northbound and temporary traffic lights. Speed
reduced to 40mph for safety. Slight delays expected.
A5 Brockhall Railway under bridge
Near Brockhall
Bridge
parapet protection. Open excavations and incomplete safety
barrier. Single lane closure northbound and temporary traffic
lights. Speed reduced to 40mph for safety. Slight delays expected.
A5 Kilsby Railway under bridge
Near Kilsby
Bridge parapet
protection. Open excavations and incomplete safety barrier. Single
lane closure northbound and temporary traffic lights. Speed
reduced to 40mph for safety. Slight delays expected.
WEST MIDLANDS
M42 Junction 8a - 7 & M6 Junction 4a link
Near Water
Orton
Junction improvements. Open excavations. Narrow lanes
and 50mph speed limit for safety. Slight delays expected.
M69 north of Junction 1 - north of 2
Near
Hinckley
Resurfacing works. Incomplete works. Lane one closure
in both directions and contraflow. Speed reduced to 50mph for
safety. Slight delays expected.
SOUTH WEST/DEVON & CORNWALL
A38 Dobwalls, new bypass
Nearest town Liskeard
New
bypass. Lane closures in both directions and contraflow on
eastbound carriageway. Open excavations. A 30mph speed limit will
be in force for safety. Moderate delays expected.
A419 Blunsdon - Turnpike roundabout to Castle Eaton
Near
Swindon
Construction of new bypass. Incomplete road surface
and open excavations. Narrow lanes and speed limit of 40mph for
safety. Moderate delays expected.
M48 Severn Bridge
Nearest town Bristol
Maintenance works.
50mph speed limit for safety. Slight delays expected.
A30 Camborne
Near Tolvaddon
Bridge replacement. Eastbound
traffic is being diverted over a temporary bridge. Westbound
traffic is diverted onto the eastbound carriageway. 50mph speed
limit for safety. Slight delays expected.
NORTH WEST
A590 High and Low Newton
Construction of new bypass.
Temporary diversion as existing carriageway has been dug up as
part of phased construction for new bypass. Speed reduced to 40mph
for safety. Slight delays expected.
A595 Parton to Lillyhall
Between A597 and A596.
Widening
of carriageway. Narrow lanes and speed reduced to 40mph for safety.
M56 Junction 15 - Dunkirk roundabout
Nearest town
Chester
Junction improvements. Open excavations. Narrow lanes
westbound, one lane closed eastbound and contraflow. 40mph speed
limit for safety. Slight delays expected.
A5117 between the junctions of the A540 and A550 - Deeside
scheme
Nearest town Chester
Junction improvement.
Incomplete construction. Narrow lanes westbound. 40mph speed limit
will be in place for safety. Slight delays expected.
M62 Junction 6
Near Whiston
Junction improvement. Open
excavations and incomplete works. Narrow lanes and speed reduced
to 50mph for safety. Slight delays expected.
M57 Junction 1
Nearest Whiston
Junction improvements (M62
J6 scheme above). Open excavations and no safety fence. Narrow
lanes and speed reduced to 50mph for safety. Slight delays expected.
A74 Guards Mill - M6 Junction 44
Nearest town
Carlisle
Widening works. Open excavations, temporary markings
and barrier. Narrow lanes and 50mph speed limit for safety.
Contraflow on northbound carriageway. Slight delays expected.
M56 Junction 3
Nearest town Sharston
Bridge repairs.
Narrow lanes eastbound and 40mph speed limit for safety due to
temporary scaffolding in place. Slight delays expected.
M60 Junction 13-14 anti-clockwise
Nearest town
Salford
Construction of noise fence. Narrow lanes
anti-clockwise. Slight delays expected.
NORTH EAST
A19 High Lane and Redhill Bridges
Nearest town
Middlesborough
Bridge repairs. Narrow lanes and 50mph speed
limit for safety. Moderate delays expected.
A19/A189 Moor Farm Roundabout, Cramlington
Nearest town
Newcastle
Widening and signalisation works. Open excavations
and temporary barrier protection. Narrow lanes. Speed reduced to
40mph for safety. Slight delays expected.
A1 Wetherby Grange to Junction 46
Nearest town
Wetherby
Widening works. Open excavations. 50mph speed limit
for safety. Moderate delays expected.
ROADWORKS LIFTED - BETWEEN 6AM ON THURSDAY 20 MARCH AND MIDNIGHT
ON MONDAY 24 MARCH 2008; Total lifted: 47 roadwork schemes (94.14 miles)
SOUTH EAST
A27
Havant
Street light renewal
EAST
M11 Junction 9a
Great Chesterford
Safety barrier repairs
M11 Junction 10 - 9
Whittlesford to Duxford
Replacement
of barrier
A5 Abbey Hill
Milton Keynes
Junction improvements
A5 Dunstable and Kensworth
Lighting column maintenance
A14 Junction 21 - 24
Brampton to Godmanchester and
Alconbury
Lay-by improvements
A12 Junction 23
Kelvedon
Maintenance works
A47 Mattishall Road
Honningham
Maintenance works
A11 Tuttles Lane Interchange
Wymondham
Resurfacing
A11 Six Mile Bottom
Great Wilbraham
Carriageway resurfacing
A120 Panners Interchange
Braintree
Carriageway resurfacing
A14 Junction 49
Stowmarket
Maintenance works
EAST MIDLANDS
A14 Junction 8 - 7
Kettering
Drainage refurbishment
A46 Willoughby on the Wolds
Between A6006 and
A606
Drainage surveys
A46 Widermerpool to Saxondale
A606 to A52
Road markings
A52 Whatton to Barrowby
Bingham
Carriageway resurfacing
A5111 Raynesway
Derby
Barrier installation
WEST MIDLANDS
A4123 Tipton
Signal works
A449 Gailey
Carriageway resurfacing
A45/M42 Junction 6
Birmingham
Junction improvements
A456 Kidderminster
Road marking renewal
A46 Teddington Hands
Beckford
Carriageway and drainage renewal
A5 Bayston Hill
Shrewsbury
Carriageway resurfacing
M42 Junction 3 - 3a
Redditch
Installation of overhead
gantry and road marking renewal
M5 Junction 4a - 4
Lydiate Ash
Carriageway resurfacing
and renewal of road markings
A46 Oversley Mill
Alcester
Resurfacing
M6 Junction 10a - 12
Cannock
Technology upgrade
A38 Branston Interchange
Burton upon Trent
Improvement works
A500 Handford Junction
Newcastle under Lyme
Improvement works.
SOUTH WEST
A30 Cannaframe to Two Bridges
Launceston
Road renewal
M5 Junction 13 - 12
Gloucester
Overnight resurfacing works.
A38 Glynn Valley
Bodmin
Embankment stabilisation
M4 Junction 16 -17
Bath, Chippenham &
Swindon
Information and signal enhancement scheme
A38 Notter Bridge
Landrake
Roadside stabilisation works.
NORTH WEST
A570 Scarth Hill to Stanley Gate
Street lighting renewal scheme
A66 Sedbury Layby
Richmond
Resurfacing
A66 Marron, Cockermouth
Bearing Replacement
Bridge repairs
M6 Junction 36 - 37 Crosslands Bridge
Kendal
Parapet replacement
M6 Juction 36 - 37 Crooklands Bridge
Kendal
Parapet replacement
M6 Junction 41- 42
Carlisle
Safety barrier replacement
M6 Junction 39 - 40
Penrith
Parapet replacement
A66 Carleton Hall
Penrith
Parapet replacement
A590 Brettargh Holt
Kendal
Safety barrier installation
M55 Junction 4 Westbound
Blackpool
Drainage repairs
NORTH EAST
A66 Surtees Bridge
Stockton On Tees
Landscaping
A1(M) Washington Services
Safety scheme
A1(M) Junction 58 to J59
Darlington
Resurfacing and
bridge works
ROADWORKS COMPLETED BEFORE THE EASTER HOLIDAY BREAK; Total
completed: 38 roadwork schemes (39.5 miles)
SOUTH EAST
M25J28/A12 Brook Street, Brentwood
Improvement scheme
EAST
A5 Dunstable, Friars Walk
Pelican crossing refurbishment
A12 Junction 14, Margaretting
Embankment replacement
A12 Junction 29, Colchester
Safety fence renewal
A14 Junction 32, Cambridge
Diversion route signage
EAST MIDLANDS
A52 QMC Roundabout, Nottingham
Carriageway resurfacing
A453 Clifton Lane Near Junction With Green Lane Clifton,
Nottingham
Works to water main
A1 Barnby Moor, Ranby
Sign works
A1 Apleyhead (Five Lanes End), Ranby
Junction Improvement
A1 Elkesley to Apleyhead, Retford
Carriageway resurfacing
A1 Tinwell to Carpenters Lodge, Stamford
Carriageway resurfacing
A1 Emergency Crossing North Muskham, Newark
Central reserve crossing
WEST MIDLANDS
M5 Junction 3, Quinton
Installation of signals
A38 Eggington Footway, Whittington
Footway reconstruction
A42 New Street Overbridge, Ashby
Bridge repairs
A42 bridge over M1, Loughborough
Bridge joint replacement
M69 Shilton Railway Bridge, Shilton
Bridge works
A5 Kingswood Lakes, Cannock
Improvement works
A38 between A5148 and A5, Lichfield
Improvement works
M42 Junction 10, Tamworth
Sign Replacement
M42 between J9 and J10, Tamworth
Bridge works
A5 Junction with Shawell Lane, Lutterworth
Carriageway resurfacing
A45 between Memorial Island and Ryton Island,
Coventry
Carriageway resurfacing
M6 Junctions 1-4 Coventry to Rugby
Bridge repairs
SOUTH WEST
A30 Pearces Hill, Exeter
Bridge strengthening
A303 Southfields Roundabout, Ilminster
Street lighting upgrade
NORTH EAST
A1(M) Washington
Communications upgrade
A1 Newcastle Upon Tyne
Electrical works
A1 Newcastle Upon Tyne
CCTV camera installation
A19 Jarrow
CCTV camera installation
A1 Duckets Hill, Darlington
Carriageway resurfacing
A1 Alnwick
River Coquet Bridge works
NORTH WEST
M6 J38-39, Tebay
Boundary fence replacement
A66 Threlkeld Castlerigg, Keswick
Junction improvement
M6 Junction 35 southbound, Carnforth
Safety fence renewal
M6 Junction 36 - 35, Carnforth
Provision of hardstanding for VMS
M6 Junction 32 - 33, Garstang
Provision of hardstanding for
Variable Message Signs (VMS)
M6 Junction 34 to 33, Lancaster
Provision of hardstanding for
Variable Message Signs (VMS)
End