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Weekly summary of roadworks in Central Southern England

Government Communications (NDS)

24 February 2012

A303 Traffic Sign Maintenance WorkEssential maintenance work to replace some signs and posts along sections of the A303 between Popham and Shipton Bellinger continues this week, to improve visibility for road users. The work started on Monday 6 February and should take around five weeks to complete.Work will be carried out overnight (between 10pm and 6am) using a lane closure on sections of either the A303 eastbound or westbound carriageway next to the work site.A303 Picket Twenty Carriageway MaintenanceSections of the eastbound and westbound carriageways of the A303 at the Picket Twenty Junction near Andover will be resurfaced this week. Work will be carried out overnight on Monday 27 February between 10pm and 5.30am, using a temporary lane closure. Traffic will be slowed to 40mph on approach, then drivers will be escorted past the work site by a convoy vehicle. A303 Harewood Forset Carriageway MaintenanceSections of the westbound A303 at Harewood Forset, near Longparish will be resurfaced this week. Work will be carried out on Tuesday 28 February between 10pm and 5.30am, using a temporary lane closure. Traffic will be slowed to 40mph on approach, then drivers will be escorted past the work site by a convoy vehicle. The lay-by on the westbound carriageway will also be closed overnight.A31 Canford Bottom Junction ImprovementsWork continues this week to upgrade the Canford Bottom Junction on the A31, near Wimborne in Dorset. The scheme will reduce congestion, both on the A31 and the local roads on approach to the roundabout by upgrading the existing roundabout into a fully signalised junction, with the A31 extending through the centre of the roundabout.Work is being carried out during day and night-time hours (Monday and Friday) with day-time working at weekends. There is a 30mph speed limit and a single lane on each of the approaches to the roundabout. The roundabout circulatory is currently closed 24 hours a day as well as the exit and entry points to all four local roads (Ham Lane, Canford Bottom Road, Wimborne Road West (both sides)). A31 traffic will travel on the new road and will not be able to exit at the junction for any of the local roads. Traffic wishing to access communities on the north side of the A31 (Wimborne Minster and Colehill) will be directed to follow a signed diversion route from the Merley Roundabout Junction.Drivers seeking to access communities on the south side of the A31 (Ferndown, West Parley, Longham) will need to use the signed diversion route from either the Palmersford Roundabout (near Sainsbury’s Supermarket) or from the Merley Roundabout.Narrow lanes and the 30mph speed limit remain in place on the A31 and on the west side of the junction. From Monday 27 February for five nights, the A31 will be closed in both directions between the Merley and Ameysford roundabouts (Monday to Thursday 8.30pm – 6am, Friday 11pm – 6am). During all closures clearly signed diversion routes will be in place.A34 Road Sign Posts Renewal SchemeWork continues this week on a scheme to replace 327 traffic signs posts at various locations along the entire length of the A34 between Winchester and the M40 Junction 9 interchange. The posts are showing signs of extensive deterioration or damage, and are being replaced to ensure continued safety for road users. Work started on Monday 9 January, and will take around 15 weeks to complete. The work is being carried out using an overnight lane closure on both the northbound and southbound carriageways between 9pm and 6am (Monday to Thursday) and 10pm to 6am (Friday).A34 Peartree to Wendlebury Vegetation ManagementWork starts this week to remove some trees along sections of the A34 in Oxfordshire between the Peartree Interchange and the M40 Junction 9 Interchange. The trees being removed are showing signs of structural damage, and could cause a hazard to road users. The work will start on Monday 27 February for around one week, and will be carried out using a temporary lane closure on the southbound carriageway between 10pm and 6am each night.A34 Winnall Lay-by ClosuresWork to improve safety by downgrading the lay-bys on the northbound and southbound carriageways on the A34 near Winnall in Hampshire (just north of the M3 Junction 9 roundabout) is expected to be completed this week. The lay-bys will become emergency stopping refuges.Work is being carried out at night using lane closures between 10pm and 5am. Road users wishing to stop in the area can use the nearby existing lay-bys located around two miles further along the A34 on both carriageways at Headbourne Worthy.M4 Junction 13 Chieveley Depot Access ImprovementsSafety improvement work continues this week on the entry and exit slip roads of the Chieveley motorway compound located off the A34/M4 Junction 13 roundabout. The scheme involves building a new exit lane from the compound along the verge of the M4 Junction 13 westbound exit slip road, and extending the entrance lane along the A34 southbound slip road.Work started on Monday 13 February for around 12 weeks, and will be carried out during off-peaks hours (9am to 4.30pm and 9pm to 5.30am). One lane of the four lane M4 westbound exit slip road past the compound is closed throughout the work, with an overnight lane closure on the M4 Junction 13 roundabout. There are no traffic restrictions on the main A34 and M4 carriageways.A34 River Itchen Bridge MaintenanceEssential drainage maintenance work continues this week where the River Itchen crosses beneath the A34 trunk road at Winnall, near Winchester. Access steps are being installed to allow safe access funder the bridge or future maintenance and protection of the watercourses.The work started on Wednesday 15 February for around 20 nights, Monday to Friday only, and is being carried out using an overnight lane closure on both the northbound and southbound carriageways between 9pm and 6am. Access to the A34 and A33 Winchester By-pass will be maintained during this work.A34 South Hinksey Bridge Maintenance Maintenance work continues this week on the South Hinksey Bridge which crosses the A34 near the Hinksey Hill Interchange, where bridge supports are being refurbished and bridge joints replaced. Good progress is being made, with work on the bridge supports complete, and the bridge joint work expected to be complete by Saturday 3 March. Work is being carried out between 9.30am and 4pm each day, during which time the South Hinksey Bridge will be closed to vehicles, with clearly signed diversion routes in place directing traffic via either the Botley or Hinksey Hill Interchange. All restrictions are removed outside working hours, and pedestrian access over the bridge is being maintained throughout. A404/A404(M) Vegetation Management Vegetation management work to fell trees along sections of the A404 and A404(M) continues this week. The diseased or damaged trees, which could cause a hazard to road users on the A404/A404(M), were identified during a routine maintenance inspection.Work started on Monday 20 February and is expected to take around 15 days (Monday-Friday only) to complete. Work is being carried out between 9am and 5pm using a lane closure on each of the northbound and southbound carriageways. Between 5 and 9 March, work will also take place overnight (9pm – 6am), with no traffic restrictions on the A404 or A404(M).M4 Junctions 5 – 6 Datchet Major Maintenance Scheme Major maintenance work continues this week on a two mile section of the M4 between junctions 5 and 6, near Slough in Berkshire. Safety barriers along the road have been upgraded and extended and drainage has been improved. Resurfacing work is taking place on both the eastbound and westbound carriageways. Narrow lanes and a 50mph speed limit remain in place. Work started in December and is expected to be completed by Sunday 18 March.M4 Junction 7 Lighting Maintenance SchemeWork continues this week to improve street lighting on slip roads serving the M4 at junction 7, near Slough in Berkshire. A total of 123 streetlights will be replaced, on the eastbound and westbound entry and exit slip roads, and along the Huntercombe spur road to the A4. The new lights will use brighter, more energy efficient bulbs and will minimise any light spill on to land next to the motorway or into the night sky. Signs and safety barriers along the road will also be upgraded as part of the scheme, which is expected to be completed in six weeks.The work will be carried out in three phases, each focussing on a separate section of road. Phase 1, currently underway, will see work carried out on the southbound Huntercombe Spur Road and the eastbound entry slip road at Junction 7. Phase 2 will be on the northbound Huntercombe Spur Road and the eastbound exit slip road at Junction 7. Finally Phase 3 will see work on the westbound entry and exit slip roads at Junction 7.The hard shoulder of the slip roads and the spur roads will be closed throughout the scheme, and there will be additional restrictions overnight when traffic flows are lowest – including some closures of the slip roads themselves, when fully signed diversions will be in place.Work is expected to be complete at the end of March.M4 Junction 8/9 - 7 Windsor Road Bridge Maintenance WorkSafety improvement work starts this week to replace the joints on the Windsor Road Bridge, which carries the M4 motorway over the A308 Windsor Road (Bray). The joints allow for the movement of the bridge deck in response to changes in traffic flows and temperature, and require replacement to maintaince current standards.Work starts on Monday 27 February for seven weeks. This week there will be overnight lane closures on both carriageways to install the traffic management, which will include 24 hour narrow lanes and a 50mph speed restriction. Three lanes on each carriageway will be kept open at peak times.A free 24 hour breakdown recovery service will also be available for those travelling through the traffic management.M4 Junction 8/9 – 7 Carriageway MaintenanceStarting on Monday 27 February for three nights the eastbound carriageway of the M4 between junctions 8/9 and 7 will be closed while resurfacing work near junction 7 is carried outThe closures will be in place between 10pm and 6am each night, and a clearly signed diversion route will direct traffic along the A308 Windsor Road to rejoin the M4 motorway at Junction 6.M4 Junction 10 (Wokingham) Embankment RepairsWork to repair the eastbound embankment next to the M4 main carriageway and eastbound exit slip road at junction 10 near Wokingham continues this week. Safety barriers will also be replaced and drainage improved as part of the work, which is being carried out at night between 9pm and 5am, using a lane closure on the main eastbound carriageway and exit slip road. The hard-shoulder is closed throughout the work. This scheme is due to be completed by Friday 9 March.M4 Junctions 11 – 12 (Reading) – Footbridge MaintenanceA scheme to upgrade safety fencing and carry out concrete repairs on three footbridges over the M4 near Reading continues this week. The improvements are being made to Malpas Footbridge (1 mile west of junction 12), Theale Footbridge (250 metres west of junction 12) and Shinfield Footbridge (half a mile east of junction 11).The work started on Monday 20 February, and will take around six weeks to complete all three bridges. All the work will take place overnight (between 10pm and 5.30am), during which time there will be varied overnight lane closures on the M4 carriageway and a temporary reduced speed limit of 50mph through the roadworks.Pedestrian access to each of the footbridges will be maintained at all times.M4 Reading (Berkshire) Carriageway MaintenanceSections of both the eastbound and westbound M4 between Whitley Wood (near junction 11) and Pingewood (near junction 12) will be resurfaced this week. Work starts on Thursday 1 March for two nights, between 10pm and 5.30am each night, using temporary lane closures on both carriageways and 50mph speed limit.M4 Junction 12 – 13 Priors Court Bridge RefurbishmentWork continues this week to replace bridge joints and supports on the Priors Court Road Bridge, which crosses the M4 motorway near junction 13 at Chieveley. The work will maintain the structural integrity of the bridge and the safety of road users.Work started on Monday 20 February for around 15 weeks and is being carried out using a 24 hour closure of the hard-shoulder on both carriageways and overnight lane closures on the main M4 carriageway between 10pm and 5.30am. There will also be temporary traffic lights on Priors Court Road over the bridge.M4 Junctions 13 – 14 Lambourn River Bridge MaintenanceWork to upgrade sections of the drainage system and install access steps where the Lambourn River crosses beneath the M4 motorway between junctions 13 and 14 near Easton continues this week. The work started on Wednesday 15 February for around three weeks, and will primarily be carried out using a hard shoulder closure between 9am and 5pm during the day and overnight between 9pm and 6am. Some work will also require a lane 1 closure on the motorway between 10am and 4pm and between 10pm and 5.30am when traffic flows are lowest.M4 Junction 14 – 15 Peaks Down Carriageway MaintenanceWork continues this week to resurface sections of the eastbound and westbound M4 between the Ridgeway Bridge at Wanborough and Peaks Down, in Wiltshire. The work started on Friday 17 February for around seven weeks, and will be carried out using overnight lane closures between 9pm and 5.30am, with one running lane available during these hours.M4 Junction 14 – 15 Wanborough Carriageway MaintenanceA section of the westbound M4 between junctions 14 and 15 at Liddington, near Wanborough, will be resurfaced this week.Work starts on Friday 2 March for three nights, Monday to Friday, and will be carried out using varied lane closures between 10pm and 6am. There will be a temporary 50mph speed limit through the traffic management, and at times drivers will be directed to use the hard shoulder. M4 Junction 14 to 15 Woodlands St Mary Central Reservation ImprovementsA major maintenance scheme continues this week on the M4 between Woodlands St Mary and junction 14 in Berkshire. The central barrier is being upgraded to a new concrete barrier, and drainage along the road is being improved. Work started on Monday 20 February for around eight weeks. There are narrow lanes and a 50mph speed limit on both carriageways between junction 14 and Oldings Hill Bridge, with the speed limit enforced by average speed cameras and occasional additional overnight lane restrictions when required. A 24 hour free recovery service is in operation M4 Junction 15 Roundabout Carriageway MaintenanceWork to maintain the road surface on the M4 Junction 15 roundabout near Swindon continues this week, having been postponed from January due to poor weather. Overnight on Saturday 3 March, between 10pm and 6am, the eastbound exit and entry slip roads will be closed, along with the north side of the junction roundabout.Overnight on Sunday 4 March, between 10pm and 6am there will be a full closure of the westbound exit and entry slip roads, along with the south side of the junction roundabout.A clearly signed diversion route will be in place during each closure.M3 Junction 4 Bridge Maintenance Maintenance work on the Blackwater Valley Viaduct on the M3 at Junction 4 near Frimley continues this week. The work will repair concrete on the bridge and maintain the safety and long-term serviceability of the structure. The hard shoulder across the bridge will be closed throughout the work, and there will be narrow lanes in place on the A331 under the bridge. Work is expected to be complete in March. M27 Junction 11-12 Bude Close Footbridge Work to replace the deck of the M27 Bude Close Footbridge, which links Falmouth Road to Hillsley Road continues this week. The existing concrete bridge deck has reached the end of its serviceable life and is being replaced with a new steel footbridge that will last for decades to come. Maintenance work will also be carried out to the ramps of the bridge.There will be a full closure of the westbound M27 between junctions 11 and 12 on Saturday 3 March, from 9pm to 9am, while a section of the old bridge is removed. A fully signed diversion route will be in place via the A27.There are temporary lane restrictions on the M27 between junctions 11 and 12, with the eastbound hard shoulder closed and lane one of the westbound carriageway.The footbridge itself is closed throughout the project, with pedestrians directed to use alternative nearby crossings at subways 750 metres north of the footbridge, and 500 metres to the south.Work is expected to be complete in March.M3 Maintenance Works, Hampshire and SurreyWork to replace road studs on the northbound and southbound M3 from junction 3 near Lightwater to junction 12 near Eastleigh continues this week. The scheme started on Thursday 2 February and will continue until early March.Work will be carried out between 10pm and 6am and requires the closure of the M3 in both directions. Each closure will be in place one junction at a time (3-4, 4a-4, 5-6, 6-7, 9-10, and 11-12). During the road closures, clearly signed diversions will be in place. A31 Ringwood Balancing PondMaintenance work continues this week on the balancing pond, near the A31 at Ringwood. Work includes including silt removal, fencing and vegetation clearance, and continues until early April. Lane 1 of the eastbound exit slip road will be closed off-peak (9pm – 6am) past the work site and there is restricted access to the public track from the northbound A338 at all times.M27 Junction 9 – Drainage WorkMaintenance work to the drainage system near the River Meon, at junction 9 of the M27 started on 15 February and will continue until 14 March. There will be a combination of off-peak day and night working, and the hard shoulder will be closed. There may be occasional lane 1 closures of the M27 at junction 9 should deliveries or the work require it.M27 Road Marking RenewalsWork to replace the road studs across all lanes of the M27 eastbound carriageway between junction 4 and 5, near Eastleigh in Hampshire, continues this week.Work will be carried out this week on Tuesday 28 and Wednesday 29 February, between 10pm and 6am each night, during which time traffic will be reduced to one lane. The link road from the M3 to the M27 will also be closed during this time, for which clearly signed diversions will be in place.A31 Handy Cross Lay-byRefurbishment work to the drainage ditch near the Handy Cross lay-by on the A31 near Picket Post in the New Forest started on 22 February and is expected to be complete this week. The work will include the installation of a filter drain.Work will be carried out between 8.30pm and 6am each night, during this time lane 1 of the eastbound A31 will be closed. The lay-by itself will be closed throughout the project. A31 Stag Gate Safety ImprovementsSafety improvement work on the A31 at Stag Gate near the junction with the A350 in Dorset continues this week. Work includes installing a vehicle activated sign which will warn approaching drivers to slow down ahead of the bend and clearing some vegetation. Work started last week and is due to be completed in March.The work is being carried out overnight, between 10pm and 6am each night , using a lane closure on the eastbound A31 at Stag Gate, with traffic controlled using temporary traffic lights. M3 Junction 6 Basingstoke InterchangeInspection work on the bridges carrying the M3 over the junction 6 interchange at Basingstoke is expected to be complete this week. The work will be carried out between 9pm and 6am each week night, when traffic flows are at their lowest, using lane closures across the junction.