Highways Agency

The Project

In January 2007, work will start on a £1.5 million communications upgrade project on the A34 northbound and southbound approaches to the interchange with the M4, Chieveley junction. The projected completion date is March 2007.

The benefits of the scheme include:

• More reliable journeys
• Improved road safety
• Reduced congestion

New variable message signs and motorway signal type 3 (MS3) will be installed along this stretch of the A34, which have the capacity to display words to passing road users, providing them with better information about congestion or the condition of the road ahead.

When the scheme is complete, the MS3 variable message signs will give the road users up to date information and warn approaching vehicles of problems ahead. This will allow drivers to slow down when nearing congestion (reducing further incidents), or allow them to consider taking an alternative route, again helping to cut out congestion.

Traffic Management

The scheme will require 2 separate phases of narrow lane restrictions and closures to be installed on the A34 at the M4 interchange.

The first phase will start in January 2007 and will include a series of off-peak (21:00 – 06:00) nearside lane closures on northbound or southbound approaches. The purpose of this will be to install the foundations and power cabinates of the variable message signs. Details of further closures for, phase 2 of the scheme will be issued nearer the time, with a clear diversionary route for road users.

When planning road projects, we aim to ensure the programme of work causes the least amount of disruption to road users. In this first phase of the scheme we are carrying out the works off peak, to ensure the impact on the traffic is not too severe.