HA suspends roadworks during Olympics

The Highways Agency (HA) has announced that routine roadworks will be put on hold across key Olympic Games’ routes, and the alternative Route Network, until September 14. Work to carry out essential maintenance will only be permitted at night, when traffic levels are lower. However, all roadworks will have to be cleared before the next day, when athletes, officials and visitors are making their way to Games venues. The HA’s completion of three major road schemes ahead of the Games, and the early opening of another, will also provide additional lane capacity, easing possible congestion. The schemes include: the widening of two sections of the M25 in Hertfordshire and Essex, adding 61km (38 miles) of increased capacity; the addition of a fourth lane in each direction on the M25 between junctions 16-23 and junctions 27-30; improvements to the A31 Canford Bottom junction in Dorset will reduce journey times between London and Weymouth for the sailing events; and the M1 junction 10-11 Managed Motorway project, which will reduce congestion for drivers heading to park and ride sites or railway stations before travelling on to Games venues.

The HA’s director of network delivery and development, Derek Turner, said, “We expect all roads around venues to be considerably busier. Visitors to the Games are strongly encouraged to use public transport to alleviate pressure on the roads. As part of our preparations, we have programmed our roadworks to be completed in time for the Games, to make as many lanes available as possible, helping drivers who make part of their journey to a park and ride before travelling on to their venue by public transport.”

The Agency’s traffic management director, Simon Sheldon-Wilson, said, “Our traffic officers and incident support units will be ready to deal with any incidents as quickly as possible. We will be positioning patrols at key locations to ensure a swift response. We will also have HA traffic officers operating on some non-motorway routes for the first time, for instance on the A31, the A35 between the M27 and Weymouth and on the A13 in Essex towards Hadleigh Farm. Every day of the Games will be different, so if you must drive, whether you are going to the Games or not, plan ahead and avoid peak times and allow more time for your journey. If at all possible, avoid driving in central London, on or around the Olympic Route Network and around venues during the Games.”

27 July 2012