Thursday 16:09
The A453 will be closed between M1 J24 and the Crusader Island at Clifton, Nottingham, on two consecutive weekends for essential maintenance. The closure will be from 10pm on Friday, November 21 to 5am on Monday, November 24, and between the same times on Friday, 28 November, to Monday, 1 December,.
The Highways Agency will be carrying out resurfacing on three sections of road and replacing joint protection on three bridges.
Highways Agency project sponsor Adrian Slack said:
"The A453 is a single carriageway road carrying a high volume of traffic, and there isn't the room to carry out these road repairs and keep vehicles moving through the works. A complete road closure is therefore essential if we are to carry out this essential work safely, as well as enabling us to get it done quickly "
"We will be working round the clock to get all the essential works done within the first weekend closure so that we do not need the second, but this will depend on the weather conditions."
"To take advantage of the closure we are carrying out a lot of other more routine work. This will avoid the need for further, more localised lane closures at a later date. The volume and variety of the work being carried out over a single weekend is quite unusual but will lead to less disruption for the travelling public in the long term."
Other works include gully cleaning, vegetation clearance, barrier maintenance and sign washing.
During the closure, motorway traffic wanting to get to Nottingham, or vice versa, will be diverted to M1 J25 and along the A52. Drivers not wishing to use the motorway will be diverted from M1 J24 along the A50 Derby, A6 Derby Eastbound A5111 (ring road). A52 Derby Road and A52 Clifton Boulevard, or vice versa.
Diversions will be clearly identified with more than 200 signs being placed around the network.
Mr Slack added: "During the closures we would advise motorists, particularly those with flights to catch from East Midlands Airport, to allow extra time for their journeys."
Notes to Editors
1. The Highways Agency is an Executive Agency of the Department for Transport, which manages, maintains and improves the network of trunk roads and motorways in England on behalf of the Secretary of State. It works closely with other transport operators and local authorities to integrate the trunk road network with the rest of England's roads and other forms of transport. More information is available at http://www.highways.gov.uk
2. Project Sponsor Adrian Slack will be available for interviews on Friday, 21 November. Contact GNN on the number below to arrange.
3. The following organisations will be carrying out the work on behalf of the Highways Agency: - Tarmac (surfacing) - AMScott (safety barrier work, sign washing, gully clearing) - USL (Bridge joint replacement) - Fountain Forestry (Grass cutting) - Nottingham City Council, Rushcliffe Borough Council and North West Leicestershire Council (litter picking and road sweeping)
4. Eleven roadworkers were killed in Highways Agency roadworks between October 2000 and February 2002 by moving traffic. This equates to a 1 in 1000 chance of being killed. The Highways Agency, with the support of the Driving Standards Agency and the Department for Transport, has created six messages to raise driver awareness to help prevent accidents:
* Keep to 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 Government News Network East Midlands. Media enquiries to Dee Smith on TEL: 0115 971 2788; FAX: 0115 971 2791; EMAIL: dee.smith@gnn.gsi.gov.uk
