New electronic signs assist drivers in the North East
HIGHWAYS AGENCY News Release issued by COI News Distribution Service on 09 February 2010
The Highways Agency is installing new message signs on the A1 and A19 which are capable of displaying text and picture messages. The new signs, called MS4s, will give drivers the latest information about the road conditions ahead.
Work to install the new signs will begin on Monday 15 February and they are due to come into use by the end of May.
Four variable message signs and CCTV cameras are being installed in Gateshead between A1(M) Junction 65 and Lobley Hill, and on A19 in Cramlington between the junctions with the B1505 and A1056.
Work will include site clearance, foundation works, cabling and sign installation. In order to minimise the disruption to drivers work will take place at night between 8pm to 6am when traffic flows are lower. During this time there will be a 50mph speed restriction in place for the safety. At night lane one will be closed to provide a safe working area, the closures will be in place at each site for approximately 10 weeks. During the construction lay-bys close to the sites will be closed.
The installation of each sign will require overnight carriageway closures. These will take place between 8pm and 6am. During the closures clearly signed diversion routes will be in place.
This work will take place:
- A1 northbound between Kingsway Junction and Lobley Hill Junction (22-29 April).
- A1 southbound between A692 Lobley Hill Junction and Kingsway Junction (26 April - 4 May).
- A1 southbound between Kingsway Junction and A167 Eighton Lodge Junction (28 April - 6 May).
- A19 southbound between A189 Moor Farm Roundabout and A1056 Killingworth Junction (30 April- 10 May).
Highways Agency project manager, Tim Holland, said: "The electronic variable message signs will enable us to provide improved information to motorists, helping to make journeys more reliable and increasing safety. We ask that divers take extra care driving through the roadworks and along the diversion routes."
Notes to Editors
1. The Highways Agency is an executive agency of the Department for Transport. We manage, maintain and improve England's motorways and trunk roads on behalf of the Secretary of State.
2. Diversion routes for installation of MS4 signs:
A1 northbound between Kingsway Junction and Lobley Hill Junction
- Exit A1 at Kingsway Interchange northbound exit slip road. Take third exit on the roundabout through Team Valley trading estate.
- Continue for approximately 2.5km, crossing two roundabouts.
- At third roundabout, take first exit and travel 200m to A1 Lobley Hill Interchange.
- Rejoin A1 northbound using Lobley Hill Interchange northbound entry slip road.
A1 southbound between A692 Lobley Hill Junction and Kingsway Junction
- Exit A1 using Lobley Hill southbound exit slip road, take first exit at roundabout into Team Valley Trading Estate.
- Turn right at roundabout and continue for approximately 2.5km, crossing two roundabouts.
- Rejoin A1 using Kingsway southbound entry slip road.
A1 southbound between Kingsway Junction and A167 Eighton Lodge Junction
- Exit A1 using Kingsway Interchange southbound exit slip road. Take the fourth exit at roundabout.
- Continue to Lamesley and Harlow Green before joining the A167 southbound carriageway.
- Travel south for approximately 1km on the A167, arriving at A1 Eighton Lodge Interchange.
- Rejoin A1 using Eighton Lodge southbound entry slip road.
A19 southbound between A189 Moor Farm Roundabout and A1056 Killingworth Junction
- Exit A19 using Moor Farm roundabout third exit onto A189, continue for 3km, crossing one roundabout.
- At second roundabout, take first exit onto A1056 eastbound and follow for 2.5km, crossing two roundabouts and arriving at A19 Killingworth Interchange.
- Rejoin A19 using Killingworth Interchange southbound entry slip road.
3. The work is being carried out by Birse Civils
4. Real-time traffic information for England's motorways and major A roads is available:
- From our Traffic Radio service, available on DAB digital radio and the internet at www.trafficradio.org.uk To tune into the DAB service, simply press the "scan" button on your radio. The radio will tune into all available channels and you can select the new service by scrolling through the channels until you reach "Traffic Radio".
- From the web at www.highways.gov.uk/traffic or www.highways.gov.uk/mobile if using a phone or mobile device.
Before using any 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.
- By phone from the Highways Agency 24-hour voice activated phone service on 08700 660 115. (Calls from BT residential landlines to 0870 numbers will cost no more than 8p per minute; call charges from other landlines and mobile networks may vary).
5. For more general information about the Highways Agency and its work, visit the Highways Agency website www.highways.gov.uk, or telephone the Highways Agency Information Line on 08457 50 40 30 at any time (Calls to 0845 numbers will cost no more than 4p per minute from BT residential landlines. Call charges from other landlines and mobile networks may vary).
Safety at roadworks
The Highways Agency is working with the industry and road users to reduce the risks of working on the roads. For the safety of road workers and all road users, 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.
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NE/045/10
Contacts:
COI North East
Phone: 0191 283 4000
Fax: 0191 202 3599
newcastle@coi.gsi.gov.uk
Ian Farrimond
Phone: 0191 283 4008
ian.farrimond@coi.gsi.gov.uk
