Highways Agency - Safe roads, Reliable journeys, Informed travellers

A419 Commonhead Junction

Autumn 2005 Newsletter

Introduction

The Highways Agency has published this sixth newsletter to help people keep up to date with the progress of the A419 Commonhead Junction Improvement project since the Spring 2005 Newsletter.

Progress Since Last Newsletter

Following the publication of the draft Orders on 13th January 2005 the period for raising objections closed on the 31st March. Although one non statutory objection was received it was felt that the nature of the objection was such that it could be addressed without the need for a Public Inquiry and the Secretary of State's approval, allowing the scheme to proceed, was given on 24th May 2005.

Ground Investigation works at Commonhead were successfully completed during June and July. Construction work began on 19th September 2005.

The Highways Agency Public Information Centre is open to visitors. The centre is situated in Durban House, Lady Lane, Blunsdon and is open on Wednesdays between 10:00 and 18:00. This facility enables members of the public a further opportunity to view the scheme proposals and discuss any concerns or issues with representatives of the scheme. A preconstruction exhibition was held at the Liden community centre on 30th September where the public were given the opportunity to view details of how the contractor will construct the scheme.

Programme

The main contractor for the scheme, Alfred McAlpine, has established the site offices and compound adjacent to Commonhead roundabout off the Liddington Road.

Over the autumn and winter period the contractor will be carrying out environmental site clearance, installation of noise fence and planting on Liden bund, archaeological investigation and diversion works for the utility companies. The majority of these works will be carried out during normal working hours.

Bridge construction and embankment construction works will commence early in the New Year and continue up to summer 2006. Roadworks will then follow to road opening in early 2007. Further details of these works will be produced nearer the time.

The work has been programmed to be carried out in the shortest practicable time and designed to keep disruption to a minimum.

Traffic Management

For the duration of the works a system will be in operation to allow works traffic to access the centre reserve and roundabout areas. Two lanes in each direction will be maintained throughout the construction period apart from occasional night time lane closures. These will be advertised well in advance. A mandatory 40mph speed limit will be in operation 24hrs a day during the works and Police speed checks will be in operation. The traffic management system will commence this November.