Revised plans announced for major maintenance on A303 near Mere, Wiltshire
The Highways Agency has today announced revised plans for the major reconstruction and improvement work required on the A303 near Mere in Wiltshire.
Work will start with site investigations from Wednesday, May 27. The majority of work will take place overnight when traffic flows are lower to minimise disruption to traffic. However the Highways Agency is advising road users and local people that it will be necessary to fully close the road for five weeks next Spring when access is required to excavate and strengthen the existing road construction. Signed diversion routes will be in place when the road is closed.
The scheme has been broken down into three separate phases to reflect the nature of the works and limit disruptions and the aim is to undertake the maximum level of activity with the minimum amount of traffic management.
* Phase 1: Investigation and drainage repairs (traffic signals, approximately 19.00hrs – 06.00hrs); May 09 – July 09. Actual days affected will vary.
* Phase 2: Widening preparation, drainage works, signage and safety fencing (traffic signals, approximately 19.00hrs-06.00hrs and night closures 22.00hrs – 05.30 hrs); Nov 09 – Dec 09.
* Phase 3: Drainage channel construction and signage (24hr single lane closure on three lane section of Chaddenwick Hill); Jan 10 – Feb 10. Major surfacing and drainage channel works (24 hour closure for 5 weeks (weather dependent) Feb 10 – Mar 10.
The work will rebuild the road, widen it by a metre where possible to provide a safe zone, replace drainage and install safety barriers.
Operations will be scheduled to avoid bank holidays and school holidays and the Agency will provide further information to stakeholders and the public. Dates of information days will be announced in the near future.
Highways Agency regional performance manager Malcolm Wilkinson said:
“We have now developed a programme which combines overnight work and lane closures to reduce the length of time that the whole route has to be closed and to reduce the impact of the work on road users.
“We have to carry out this maintenance scheme now to ensure the road is safe and in good condition for the future. Surveys show that the road surface and sub-structure are suffering from severe cracking and rutting. A CCTV survey of the drainage system has shown that it needs extensive repairs and in some places needs to be completely replaced.
“We are programming to avoid the main holiday periods, but some delays will be inevitable and so are asking road users to check before they set out and allow more time for their journeys. When diversions are in use they will be clearly signed.”
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