Wednesday 13:00
Major road and bridge repairs to the A1 north of Berwick upon Tweed have been planned to minimise disruption to drivers during the holiday season.
The work is due to start on Monday, 7 August and is expected to be finished by Saturday, 7 October. Work will be carried out in two phases with work suspended between the 24 and 29 August for the Bank Holiday.
In all 1.7 miles (2.7km) of road will be affected from just south of the East Ord roundabout to the Highfields roundabout with the main work area at the Tweed Bridge to just south of the Duns Road junction.
Andrew Jennings, project manager for the Highways Agency, said: "The work includes the re-waterproofing and re-surfacing of the Tweed Bridge, re-surfacing the carriageway north of the bridge and drainage improvement.
"The first phase will be the single carriageway north of the Tweed Bridge. This work will be carried out at night, using lane closures, controlled by traffic signals. The second phase will involve working from the end of the single carriageway to just south of Duns Roads junction. The bridgework will be carried out at the same time as work to the carriageway and requires one-way traffic flow with traffic signal control. Short local diversions will operate during the second phase near the B 6461 and Low Cocklaw junctions.
"Additional measures include enhanced landscaping to complement existing planting; construction of a wildlife crossing to encourage badgers and otters to cross under the A1, near Common Beck; and enhanced drainage work to reduce the risk of pollution from spillages on the road."
Diversion routes for work during the second phase of the contract: access from Berwick to A1 southbound at A6105 Duns Road junction will some times be closed overnight.
Diversion routes: Travelling west to A1 from Castle Gate: diversion north along North Road to Highfields roundabout to join A1:
Travelling west to A1 from A6105 from Duns road junction: diversion north along Castle Drive, North Road to Highfields roundabout to rejoin A1.
Low Cocklaw Road will some times be closed overnight. Diversion route: From A1 northbound: west on Low Cocklaw Road, diversion to B6461 then unclassified road to continue journey.
From A1Southbound: west on Low Cocklaw Road, remain on A1 southbound to East Ord roundabout then A1 northbound. Divert to B6461 side road then unclassified road to continue journey.
From Low Cocklaw Road eastbound: for A1 divert on to unclassified road to B6461, to continue journey.
B6461 and Low Cocklaw junctions will be closed to traffic turning right from A1 southbound. Diversions are:
From A1 southbound: travelling east on B6461 remain on A1 southbound to East Ord roundabout, then to A1 northbound. Drivers will follow A1 northbound to B6461 junction to continue journey.
From A1Southbound: travel east on Low Cocklaw Road remain on A1 southbound until East Ord roundabout then to A1 northbound. Follow A1 northbound to Low Cocklaw junction to continue journey.
From side roads to A1 south: diverted north on A1 to Highfields roundabout, then directed to A1 southbound.
Notes to Editors
1. The Highways Agency is an executive agency of the Department for Transport which manages, maintains and improves England's motorways and trunk roads, on behalf of the Secretary of State. Highways Agency traffic information website is at http://www.highways.gov.uk/trafficinfo.
2. The work, worth £1.8m, will be carried out by Tarmac Northern Ltd.
3. For real-time traffic information, the Highways Agency 24-hour voice activated telephone service is on 08700 660 115. (Calls from BT Iand lines to 0870 numbers cost no more than 8p per minute; mobile calls usually cost more)
4. For 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 and mobile networks may vary.)
Safe driving at roadworks During 2005, five workers were killed and 12 seriously injured in the course of their work on Highways Agency roads. This was the worst year for 5 years.
For the safety of all road users and roadworkers, drivers approaching roadworks are advised to: 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.
Issued on behalf of the Highways Agency by GNN North East
Client ref NE/349/06
