As we highlighted a few weeks ago, extensive resurfacing work is due to take place shortly on the major trunk roads that provide the most direct access to Milton Keynes from our area of Bucks. Here's the latest information.
Stoke Hammond and Linslade Western bypass resurfacing
Heavy equipment moves on to the Stoke Hammond and Linslade Western bypass next Monday (13th August) ready to start on an eight-week resurfacing programme.
Three road surfacing teams will work on the £4.5 million project, which involves closing each carriageway completely for around four weeks – starting with the Milton Keynes-bound lanes on Monday – to allow resurfacing of the road and roundabouts to be done more quickly. The Wing-bound carriageway will remain open.
The work involves removing the entire surface course, which has a number of defects, and, in areas where investigations have found structural weakness, replacing some of the lower layers.
During the first week both carriageways will close overnight – from 7pm on Wednesday 15th August to 6am on Thursday 16th August and provisionally from 7pm on Thursday 16th August to 6am on Friday 17th August – to allow the Chelmscote roundabout to be prepared for a new surface that weekend (17-20 August).
Mark Shaw, Buckinghamshire County Council Deputy Leader and Transport Cabinet Member, said the decision to opt for alternate full carriageway closures gave contractors a clear run along the five-mile length, to get the job done more quickly, to better control costs, and to maintain road safety for motorists.
"I appreciate that road works aren't possible without some degree of inconvenience, and I apologise in advance for this," said Mark. "I believe this comparatively short burst of pain will be worth it for the many years of 'gain'."
Diversions will be clearly signposted.
Traffic from the Aylesbury direction on the A418 will divert from the A4146 roundabout at the Wing end, via the Leighton Buzzard bypass, A505, and A5 to meet the A4146 again at Kelly's Kitchen roundabout just outside Bletchley.
Traffic from the Milton Keynes and Bletchley directions will divert on to the A5 at Kelly's Kitchen roundabout, via the A505 and Leighton Buzzard bypass to join the A418 at the roundabout near Wing.
Updated information will be published on the road improvements page of the County Council website
Works schedule – subject to favourable weather conditions
Monday 13th August to Friday 17th August
Northbound (towards Milton Keynes) carriageway closed completely for surfacing teams to remove and replace surface material. Southbound carriageway (towards Wing) and Chelmscote roundabout will remain open during the day but will be closed overnight (7pm-6am) on Wednesday 15 & provisionally on the Thursday 16 August.
Weekend 17th – 20th August (7pm Friday to 6am Monday)
bypass closed completely to allow Chelmscote roundabout resurfacing.
Monday 20th August to Friday 31st August
Northbound (towards Milton Keynes) carriageway closed completely for surfacing teams to remove and replace surface material. Southbound carriageway (towards Wing) will remain open during the day but will be provisionally closed overnight (7pm to 6am) on Wednesday 29th & Thursday 30th August.
Weekend 31st August to 3rd September (7pm Friday to 6am Monday)
bypass closed completely to allow Soulbury Road roundabout resurfacing.
Monday 3rd September to Sunday 9th September
Northbound (towards Milton Keynes) carriageway closed completely for surfacing teams to remove and replace surface material. Southbound carriageway (towards Wing) will reopen.
Weekend 9th -10th September (7pm Sunday to 6am Monday)
bypass closed completely to allow plant and equipment to be transferred from northbound to southbound carriageway.
Monday 10th September to Sunday 7th October
Southbound (towards Wing) carriageway closed completely for for surfacing teams to remove and replace surface material. Northbound (towards Milton Keynes) carriageway will reopen. Provisionally, there will be a North and Southbound closure for one night on Friday 28th September to install road markings to the Soulbury and Chelmscote roundabouts.
Sunday 7th October – bypass reopens completely.
These dates could change if weather conditions delay work.
