The following summary of planned new and ongoing road improvements over the coming week is correct as of the above date but could be subject to change due to weather conditions or unforeseen circumstances. All our improvement work is carried out with … read more
The following information summarises the work being carried out this coming week. It is correct as of 2 March but could be subject to change due to weather conditions or unforeseen circumstances. All our improvement work is carried out with the aim of causing as little disruption as possible.
Highways England is carrying out a programme of routine inspections of electrical and structural equipment across the region, which is planned for completion in Summer 2017. In addition there is a programme of maintenance which includes bulk lamp changes. Work will include inspecting equipment on:
Highways England will continue repairs to barriers throughout the week, using lane closures to keep road users at a safe distance from the work. The work will take place at various locations, between 8pm and 5am. This week we are repairing barriers on the M11 in both directions from Monday 6 to Friday 10 March overnight, using lane closures while we are working between junctions 6 (M25) and 9 (A11). We are also repairing barriers on the A120 in both directions, between junction 8 with the M11 and Braintree (Marks Farm).
Highways England will continue litter picking throughout the week on the M11. This will be done using a mobile slow-moving hard shoulder or lane closure. Work will also include sweeping the hard shoulder of the M11 during the day while we litter pick between junctions 6 (M25) and 9 (A11).
Highways England will be completing safety improvement works to the footway and crossing points on the A5 at Chalk Hill (North Dunstable) around the Sewell Lane Junction. This will be done between Monday 6 March and Friday 10 March, working overnight on weeknights only. During the works we will have temporary traffic lights in place.
Highways England will be working to renew and improve the Highway drainage system on the A1 between Sandy and the Black Cat roundabout. Works include the renewal of drainage gullies, and the clearance and improvement of drainage ditches. We will be using weeknight overnight lane closures to provide access to the roadside drainage.
Highways England will be working to repair and replace faulty power cables for signage technology on the motorway, including overhead sign lighting, on the M1. This will be done using lane and hard shoulder closures while we are working, between 9pm and 5am, from Monday 6 to Friday 10 March. As part of this work, it will be necessary for slip roads to be closed overnight on some dates. Where slip roads are closed, drivers will be diverted to continue on the M1 to the next junction, exit and return to leave the junction from the opposite direction.
Highways England are carrying out routine maintenance work on bridges crossing the M11 between junctions 6 (M25) and 9 (A11) in both directions. They will also be doing similar work on the A120, between junction 8 with the M11 and Braintree (Marks Farm). These will be done during the day, with the hard shoulder closed while we are working.
Highways England will be filling in potholes on the M11 between junctions 8 (Stansted Airport – Bishop’s Stortford) and 9 (A11) in both directions, and on the A120 between Braintree and junction 8 of the M11. This will be done using lane and hard shoulder closures while we are working, between 8.30pm and 6am, from Monday 6 to Friday 10 March.
Highways England will be doing routine maintenance of structures and technology boxes along the M11 during the day. These will be done with a hard shoulder closure, taking place between junctions 6 (M25) and 9 (A11).
Highways England is building a new 2.9-mile, two-lane dual carriageway running from north of Dunstable and joining the M1 at a new junction 11a, south of Chalton. Main construction started in March 2015. Work is progressing well. The traffic management, including hard shoulder closures, safety barriers, signs, CCTV and average speed cameras, will stay in place throughout the construction work, which will be carried out in phases and should be finished in spring 2017.
Work on the M1and A5: there will be M1 lane closures between junctions 10 and 13 from Monday 6 March to Saturday 11 March between 10pm to 6am for overhead gantry works and new sign installation.
Work on the A5 and local roads: from Monday 6 to Sunday 12 March there will be traffic lights overnight on the A5 and A505 between 8pm and 6am for safety barrier installation and construction of a new footpath works. There will be temporary traffic lights on local roads and A5 between 9.30am and 3.30pm for verge and safety barrier work. Monday 6 to Wednesday 8 between 8pm to 6am Sundon Road will be closed overnight in order to carry out drainage and verge works. Diversion route will be clearly signed.
Eastbound alternative route; drivers will be diverted south along B579 Luton Road, at the roundabout at Coverdale turn left onto Toddington Road and continue along Toddington Road to the junction with Grange Avenue. Turn right onto Grange Avenue and continue to the traffic lights at Oakley Road, turn left and continue along Oakley Road to the next roundabout, go straight across continuing on Oakley Road at the 2nd roundabout, take the 1st exit and then turn left onto Dunstable Road and then turn left onto Waller Avenue, at the end of Waller Avenue turn left onto Marsh Road (B579) and continue to the first roundabout, take the second exit straight over and continue on Marsh Road to the next roundabout and take the second exit onto Sundon Park Road, follow Sundon Park Road which will bring traffic back onto Sundon Road. Westbound alternative route will be the above route in the opposite direction.
Highways England will be working to repair the road surface of the A11 at Babraham. This will be done between Thursday 9 March and Saturday 1 April, working from 8pm to 6am on weeknights only.
To keep road users at a safe distance from the works, we will close the A11 while we are working. This will be westbound from Thursday 9 and Tuesday 21 March and eastbound from Wednesday 22 March to Saturday 1 April. When we’re working westbound the A11 will be closed between the A1307 Four Went Ways Interchange and A505 Interchange. There will be a clearly signed diversion route in place, whereby drivers heading westbound on the A14 will be directed to:
Local traffic affected by the closure will be directed to exit the M11 at J10 Duxford Interchange then east along the A505Drivers who miss the A14 diversion will turn around at the A11/A1307 Four Went Ways Interchange and head back to turn around at the A14 J37 Exning Interchange.
When we’re working eastbound the A11 will be closed between the M11 J9 Stump Cross Interchange and A1307 Four Went Ways Interchange. There will be a clearly signed diversion route in place, whereby drivers heading northbound on the M11 will be directed to:
Local traffic affected by the closure will be directed to:
Highways England is renumbering part of the A12 to become the A47. This work is being carried out as part of the improvements to the A47/A12 corridor. We will be replacing road signs that currently show the A12 to now show the A47. The work will last approximately 12 weeks to complete. The section of the A12 that currently runs from Lowestoft to Great Yarmouth will become the A47.
Improvement works are being carried out on the A14 junction 45 Rookery Crossroads/Rougham. Works include construction of new eastbound slip roads, which are being funded by Suffolk County Council as part of the Bury St Edmunds Eastern Relief Road scheme. There is a 24 hour 40mph speed limit in place through the works for safety reasons, works are currently taking place overnight using lane closures in both directions. The works are due to take five months to complete.
Early preparatory construction work on the A14 Cambridge to Huntingdon scheme has been underway for a number of months and main construction has now started. We are currently carrying out a variety of tasks for which we need to close lanes or carriageway on the A1, A14 and some local roads, usually overnight between 8pm and 6am unless otherwise stated. The work includes:
Monday 6 March to Friday 10 March:
Friday 10 March 10pm to Monday 13 March 5am:
Monday 6 March:
Tuesday 7 March:
Wednesday 8 March:
Thursday 9 and Friday 10 March:
Highways England is undertaking investigations and repairs to the drainage system of the A14 between junctions 35 (Stoke cum Quy) and 32 (Girton – M11 interchange). There will be Westbound lane closures between 8pm and 6am while we are working overnight, with all works on weekdays only.
On Friday evening we are working on the A14 Eastbound direction with the inside lane closed between junctions 34 and 35.
Peterborough City Council is continuing its junction improvement work at the A47/A15 Dogsthorpe junction, Peterborough. The work will involve some overnight full closure and 24/7 lane closures on the A47. For more information, visit the scheme website.
Highways England will be working to repair the road surface at various sections of the A47 between Hockering and Easton. This will be done between Wednesday 8 March and Saturday 1 April, working from 8pm to 6am on weeknights only.
To keep road users at a safe distance from the works, we will have mixture of traffic lights and full road closures in place while we are working. When the A47 is closed overnight between Monday 27 March and Saturday 1 April, there will be a clearly signed diversion route in place, whereby drivers heading eastbound will be diverted off the A47 at Swaffham and directed as follows:
Drivers heading westbound will directed to exit the A47 at Norwich, taking:
Local traffic will be permitted along the A47 up until the point of the closure, and those needing access to properties through the closure will be able to approach the gateman to be escorted through.
We are completing essential maintenance work on the A120 and the A12 in Essex, which will be ongoing until May. This work will include resurfacing, safety barrier repairs, and bridge repairs, with work taking place between Braintree and Marks Tey, near Colchester, at Kelvedon, and at Wix. Unless detailed otherwise, work will be taking place between 8pm and 6am.
This week we are resurfacing the road and footpaths and replacing street lights, fencing and road signs on the A120 between Marks Tey and Marks Farm from Monday 6 to Friday 10 March, under night time (8pm-6am) temporary traffic signals at Coggleshall and Marks Tey. In addition, there will be full closures between the Dolphin pub and Blackwater Aggregates junction Bradwell between Wednesday 8 and Friday 10 March.
We are repairing bridge joints and water proofing, resurfacing of the carriageway. Bridge will be closed to pedestrians from Monday 6 to Sunday 13 March. Pedestrians will be diverted slightly further west over the Halstead road crossing.
There is a full closure of A120 Blackwater bridge (Bradwell) from Friday 10 at 8pm to Monday 13 at 6am. Diversion is via A12/A130/A131. The footpath will be accessible but reduced in width to 1.2m to allow bridge deck investigative works. The works will only take place on a day time, but the pedestrian management will be in place for safety 24 hours a day.
We are repairing drainage on the A120 Wix bypass on nights from Monday 6 to Friday 10 March. There will be night time (8pm-5am) traffic lights in place and a 40mph speed limit while we are working. Replacing the central reservation safety barrier on the A120 between junction 29 of the A12 (Crown Interchange) to Hare Green (between the B1029 and the A133). There will be narrow lanes westbound with a 50mph limit in place in both directions 24/7. In addition there will be a lane 2 closure eastbound between Monday 6 and Friday 10 March overnight.
We are repairing bridge joints on the A12 Ewell Bridge near Kelvedon. Bridge closed to pedestrians 24/7 until scheme is completed April 2017. Pedestrians who cross over Ewell Bridge westbound from its connection with Windmill Hill will be diverted head south on Windmill Hill to its junction with Highfields Lane, then along Highfields Lane, heading towards Kelvedon, before crossing Maldon Road Bridge to the junction with Ewell Hall Chase, and finally join Ewell Hall Chase to meet with the public right of way in the vicinity of Ewell Hall Farm. Pedestrians wishing to cross eastbound, the diversion is the reverse of the above.
We are repairing bridge joints and water proofing, resurfacing of the carriageway and footpath. Closed to all vehicles 24/7. Diversion, (southbound) B1137, A130, Essex Regiment way, Wheelers Hill, Leigh’s Road, Drakes Lane, Boreham Road, Waltham Road, B1137. The northbound diversion is the reverse of the southbound. Pedestrian access is maintained.
Highways England will be cutting new traffic detector loops cutting in the carriageway and slip road surfaces and installing associated equipment in the verges on the A421 between Marsh Leys Interchange and Elstow Interchange, the works will be carried out using slip road closure and carriageway closure overnight between 9pm and 6am from Monday 6 and Friday 10 March. During the slip road closures traffic wishing to enter or leave the A421 will be diverted on or off the trunk road at the nearest open slip road and return to the original junction via the opposite carriageway in order to continue their journey.
Highways England will be improving street lighting and road markings on the A428 through Eltisley. This will be done between Monday 6 March and Friday 31 March. During the works we will have traffic lights in place while we are working. As part of this work, it will be necessary for road to be closed overnight on some dates. Where the A428 is closed westbound, drivers will be diverted to take the A1198 northbound at Caxton Gibbet roundabout, then at Godmanchester follow the A14 westbound to junction 21 at Brampton Hut, then take the A1 southbound and follow the A1 southbound to Wyboston junction roundabout, where the diversion ends. Drivers heading eastbound will follow this diversion in reverse.
Members of the public should contact the Highways England customer contact centre on 0300 123 5000.
Journalists should contact the Highways England press office on 0844 693 1448 and use the menu to speak to the most appropriate press officer.
read moreDuring February, there were two new detention of foreign flagged vessels in a UK port. Six vessels remained under detention from previous months. A total of four vessels remain under detention at the end of February.
In response to one of the recommendations of Lord Donaldson’s inquiry into the prevention of pollution from merchant shipping, and in compliance with the EU Directive on Port State Control (2009/16/EC as amended), the Maritime and Coastguard agency (MCA) publishes details of the foreign flagged vessels detained in UK ports each month.
The UK is part of a regional agreement on port state control known as the Paris Memorandum of Understanding on Port State Control (Paris MOU) and information on all ships that are inspected is held centrally in an electronic database known as THETIS. This allows the ships with a high risk rating and poor detention records to be targeted for future inspection.
Inspections of foreign flagged ships in UK ports are undertaken by surveyors from the Maritime and Coastguard Agency. When a ship is found to be not in compliance with applicable convention requirements, a deficiency may be raised. If any of their deficiencies are so serious they have to be rectified before departure, then the ship will be detained.
All deficiencies should be rectified before departure if at all possible.
When applicable, the list includes those passenger craft prevented from operating under the provisions of the EU Directive on Mandatory Surveys for the safe operation of regular Ro-Ro ferry and high speed passenger craft services (1999/35/EU).
Notes on the list of detentions
GT: 68392
IMO: 9420045
Flag: Norway (White list)
Company: Hoegh Wallem Ship Management
Classification Society: DNV GL
Recognised Organisation: DNV GL
Recognised Organisation for ISM Doc: DNV GL
Recognised Organisation for ISM SMC: DNV GL
Date and Place of Detention: 16th February 2017 at Tyne
Summary: Three deficiencies with one ground for detention
| Defective item | Nature of defect | Ground for Detention |
| 01139 – Maritime Labour Certificate | Not properly filled | No |
| 07105 – Fire doors/openings in fire resisting divisions | Not as required | No |
| 04114 – Emergency source of power- Emergency generator | Not as required | Yes |
This vessel was released on 17th February 2017
GT: 3986
IMO: 9226762
Flag: Cyprus (White list)
Company: Brise Bereederlings GMBH
Classification Society: DNV GL
Recognised Organisation: DNV GL
Recognised Organisation for ISM Doc: LR
Recognised Organisation for ISM SMC: LR
Date and Place of Detention: 15th February 2017 at Ellesmere Port
Summary: Six deficiencies with four grounds for detention
| Defective item | Nature of defect | Ground for Detention |
| 04110 – Abandon ship drills | Insufficient frequency | Yes |
| 10116 – Nautical publications | Missing | No |
| 11101 – Lifeboats | Inoperative | Yes |
| 11131 – On board training and instructions | Lack of training | Yes |
| 10127 – Voyage or passage plan | Lack of information | No |
| 15150 – ISM | Not as required | Yes |
This vessel was released on 24th February 2017
GT: 1175
IMO: 9482275
Flag: Netherlands ( White list)
Company: Skyline Barge Ravestein BV
Classification Society: LR
Recognised Organisation: N/A
Recognised Organisation for ISM Doc: N/A
Recognised Organisation for ISM SMC: N/A
Date and Place of Detention: 31st January 2017 at Portsmouth
Summary: Six deficiencies with three grounds for detention
| Defective item | Nature of defect | Ground for Detention |
| 01108 – Loadlines (including exemption) | Missing | Yes |
| 02103 – Stability/strength/loading information & instruments | Missing | Yes |
| 01131 – International AFS Certificate | Missing | Yes |
| 01132 – Tonnage certificate | Missing | No |
| 01117 – International Oil Pollution prevention certificate (IOPP) | Missing | No |
| 01119 – International sewage pollution prevention certificate | Missing | No |
This vessel was released on 16th February 2017
GT: 8503
IMO: 9383601
Flag: Marshall Islands (White list)
Company: Petrochem General Management SA
Classification Society: BV
Recognised Organisation: BV
Recognised Organisation for ISM Doc: BV
Recognised Organisation for ISM SMC: BV
Date and Place of Detention: 28th January 2017 at Fawley
Summary: Nine deficiencies with one grounds for detention
| Defective item | Nature of defect | Ground for Detention |
| 18203 – Wages | Not according to SEA (not paid) | Yes |
| 01220 – Seafarer’s employment agreement | Not available | No |
| 01224 – Certificate for rating able seafarer deck/engine and electro technical | Missing | No |
| 01214 – Endorsement by flag state | Missing | No |
| 10111 – Charts | Missing | No |
| 18427 – Ships occupational health & safety policies and programmes | Not as required | No |
| 18412 – Personal equipment | Not as required | No |
| 18412 – Personal equipment | Missing | No |
| 15150 – ISM | Not as required | No |
This vessel was released on 2nd February 2017
GT: 3001
IMO: 9087312
Flag: India (Grey List)
Company: GOL Offshore Ltd
Classification Society: IRS
Recognised Organisation: IRS
Recognised Organisation for ISM Doc: IRS
Recognised Organisation for ISM SMC: IRS
Date and Place of Detention: 5th October 2016 at Aberdeen
Summary: Five deficiencies with five grounds for detention
| Defective item | Nature of defect | Ground for Detention |
| 07105 – Fire doors/openings in fire resisting divisions | Not as required | Ye |
| 07113 – Fire pumps and its pipes | Not as required | Yes |
| 18203 – Wages | Missing | Yes |
| 01220 – Seafarers employment agreement (SEA) | Invalid | Yes |
| 18204 – Calculation and payment of wages | No records | Yes |
This vessel was still detained on 28th February 2017
GT: 964.
IMO No: 7393169.
Flag: PANAMA (white list)
Company:
Classification Society: Expired
Recognised Organisation: Expired
Recognised Organisation for ISM DOC:
Recognised Organisation for ISM SMC:
Date and Place of Detention: 17 June 2016, West Cowes
Summary: Seventeen deficiencies with seventeen grounds for detentions
| Defective item | Nature of defect | Ground for Detention |
| 01101 – Cargo ship safety equipment cert | Expired | Yes |
| 01102 – Cargo Ship safety construction cert | Expired | Yes |
| 01104 – Cargo ship safety radio cert | Expired | Yes |
| 01108 – Loadline cert | Expired | Yes |
| 01117 – IOPP (International Oil Pollution Prevention cert | Expired | Yes |
| 01119 – International Sewage Pollution Prevention cert | Expired | Yes |
| 01124 – International Air Pollution Prevention cert | Expired | Yes |
| 01137 – Civil liability for bunker oil pollution damage cert | Expired | Yes |
| 01199 – Other certs (Certificate of class) | Expired | Yes |
| 01201 – Certificates for master and officers | Missing | Yes |
| 10111 – Charts | Not updated | Yes |
| 10116 – Publications Nautical | Not updated | Yes |
| 11108 – Inflatable liferafts | Expired | Yes |
| 11116 – Distress flares | Missing | Yes |
| 07109 – Fixed fire fighting extinguishing installation | Not as required | Yes |
| 07110 – Fire fighting equipment & appliances | Not as required | Yes |
| 01140 – Declaration of Maritime Labour Compliance | Missing | Yes |
This vessel was still detained on 28th February 2017
GT: 4450.
IMO No: 9212448.
Flag: COOK ISLANDS (black list)
Company: Coralot Consulting Ltd.
Classification Society: International Naval Surveys Bureau (INSB).
Recognised Organisation: INSB.
Recognised Organisation for ISM DOC: INSB.
Recognised Organisation for ISM SMC: INSB
Date and Place of Detention: 4th April 2016, Chatham, Orpington.
Summary: Six deficiencies with two grounds for detention
| Defective item | Nature of defect | Ground for Detention |
| 01201 – Certificates for masters and officers | Invalid | Yes |
| 15150 – ISM | Not as required | Yes |
| 13101 – Propulsion main engine | Not as required | No |
| 01123 – Continuous synopsis record | Missing | No |
| 01113 – Minimum safe manning document | Not as required | No |
| 14119 – Oil and oily mixtures from machinery spaces | Lack of familiarity | No |
This vessel was still detained on 28th February 2017.
GT: 106.
IMO No: 8944446.
Flag: Unregistered.
Company: Open Window Inc.
Classification Society: Unclassed.
Recognised Organisation: Not applicable.
Recognised Organisation for ISM DOC: Not applicable.
Recognised Organisation for ISM SMC: Not applicable
Date and Place of detention: 4 March 2010, Lowestoft
Summary: Thirty deficiencies including seven grounds for detention
This vessel was still detained on 28th February 2017
Notes to Editors
• The MCA is a partner in the Sea Vision UK campaign to raise awareness and understanding of the sea and maritime activities. Sea Vision promotes the importance and economic value of the sector and works to highlight the exciting range of activities and career opportunities available to young people within the UK growing maritime sector at www.seavision.org.uk
• Follow us on Twitter: @MCA_media
For further information please contact Maritime and Coastguard Agency Press Office, on: +44 (0) 2380 329 401 Press releases and further information about the agency is available here.
read moreThe UK firmly condemns North Korea’s latest ballistic missile launches. These are in violation of multiple UN Security Council resolutions. We are working with international partners, including in the UN Security Council, of which the UK currently holds the Presidency.
We urge North Korea to stop its provocative actions, which threaten international peace and security. North Korea should instead re-engage with the international community, and take credible, concrete steps to prioritise the well-being of its own people instead of the illegal pursuit of its nuclear and ballistic missile programmes.
read moreThe scheme involves improving existing flood defences along the River Dart from the mainline railway bridge to the Steam Packet Inn. Other measures include providing a new flood wall within Morrisons car park, raising Ashford slipway and providing flood resilience measures to individual properties and flood gates.
Work began on a section of the scheme which didn’t need planning permission in January but now South Hams District Council has given the rest of the scheme the green light.
Dan Boswell, for the Environment Agency, said:
This is a fantastic milestone for us and the residents we have been working with to help us shape our designs.
Since the construction of the original defences flood risk has changed and in recent years there have been at least 2 occasions – 2008 and 2014 – where some properties in the town have come close to flooding from the River Dart.
We always ask people to stay flood aware. People can check their flood risk online, by calling Floodline on 0345 988 1188 or by following @EnvAgency and #floodaware on Twitter for the latest flood updates.
Once work is completed on Broadmarsh Industrial Estate, work will move to the areas of New Walk, Throgmorton and the Morrisons car park.
March 2008Designs for the scheme were drawn up following discussions with landowners and property owners and a public drop-in session in the town in April 2016 and follow-up discussions have been taking place since that time. The scheme is due to be completed by next winter.
The project to improve flood defences in Totnes is separate from the planned work at Steamer Quay to repair the existing flood wall. It is hoped that this work will be completed in April 2017.
read more