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 the aim of causing as little disruption as possible.

Bristol

M32 junction 2 to junction 3: MetroBus scheme (Bristol City Council work)

Narrow lanes with 40mph speed restrictions will be in operation northbound and southbound until April 2017.

Gloucestershire

M5 junction 10 to junction 11A: structure maintenance

Narrow lanes with contraflow and 50mph speed restrictions will be in operation northbound and southbound until July 2017.

M5 junction 12 to junction 11A: resurfacing

Northbound carriageway, including junction 12 entry slip road, will be closed overnight from 8pm on 6 February until 6am on 7 February. Diversion will be clearly signposted.

M5 junction 11: structure maintenance

Northbound rntry slip road will be closed overnight from 9pm on 6 February until 6am on 7 February. Diversion will be clearly signposted.

M5 junction 11 to junction 10: structure maintenance

Northbound carriageway will be closed overnight from 9pm on 7 February until 6am on 8 February. Diversion will be clearly signposted.

M5 junction 11A to junction 10: traffic management changes

Northbound carriageway will be closed nightly, 9pm to 6am, from 8 February until 10 February. Diversion will be clearly signposted.

M5 junction 10 to junction 11: traffic management changes

Southbound carriageway will be closed nightly, 9pm to 6am, from 8 February until 10 February. Diversion will be clearly signposted.

M5 Gloucester Gateway Service Area: resurfacing

Northbound exit slip road and entry slip road will be closed overnight from 8pm on 7 February until 6am on 8 February. Diversion will be clearly signposted.

M5 Gloucester Gateway Service Area: resurfacing

Northbound exit slip road to Service Area will be closed nightly, 8pm to 6am, from 8 February until 10 February. Diversion will be clearly signposted.

A40 Elmbridge Court roundabout: construction work

Narrow lanes with 40mph speed restrictions will be in place until September 2017.

Wiltshire

M4 junction 16: roundabout reconstruction

Narrow lanes with 40mph speed restrictions will be in place on the eastbound exit slip road, and westbound exit slip road from 7 February, until October 2017.

M4 junction 16: traffic management changes

Westbound exit slip road will be closed overnight from 8pm on 6 February until 5am on 7 February. Diversion will be clearly signposted.

Somerset

M5 junction 22: survey work

Northbound exit slip road and entry Slip road will be closed overnight from 8pm on 6 February until 6am on 7 February. Diversion will be clearly signposted.

Southbound exit slip road and entry slip will be closed overnight from 8pm on 7 February until 6am on 8 February. Diversion will be clearly signposted.

General enquiries

Members of the public should contact the Highways England customer contact centre on 0300 123 5000.

Media enquiries

Journalists should contact the Highways England press office on 0844 693 1448 and use the menu to speak to the most appropriate press officer.

Highways England is advising road users in the east of England that there are no current plans to close the Orwell Bridge in Suffolk tomorrow (Friday 3 February).

High winds have been forecast across the region for much of the day, peaking in the afternoon. However, based on the latest information from forecasters, Highways England considers it unlikely that conditions at the bridge will require a closure.

Drivers are asked to pay close attention to the weather forecast in case circumstances change. Safety is Highways England’s top priority, and any decision about whether to close the bridge will be based on the safety of road users, taking into account the speed and prevailing direction of the wind.

Whilst the bridge is open, Highways England will continue to monitor wind speeds closely. If there is an increase in the forecast high winds, which would make the crossing unsafe for drivers, the Orwell Bridge, which carries the A14 over the River Orwell near Ipswich, could be closed at some point on Friday 3 February.

If the Orwell Bridge is closed, the planned diversion route is via the A1156, A1189 and A1214 through Ipswich.

Drivers planning to travel on Friday 3 February are encouraged to plan their journey in advance and check the latest weather and traffic conditions along the route. You can get the latest forecast from BBC weather, the Met Office, and BBC Radio Suffolk.

Drivers should be aware of sudden gusts of wind, and give high-sided vehicles, caravans, motorbikes and bicycles plenty of space.

Highways England provides live traffic information via its website, local and national radio travel bulletins, electronic road signs and mobile platforms. Local weather information is also available on Twitter at @HighwaysEAST. The latest weather forecast can be seen on the Met Office website.

General enquiries

Members of the public should contact the Highways England customer contact centre on 0300 123 5000.

Media enquiries

Journalists should contact the Highways England press office on 0844 693 1448 and use the menu to speak to the most appropriate press officer.

The third phase of the Vibrant and Viable Places Town Centre Loans Fund will support town centre regeneration in 12 areas of Wales.

The fund works on a recyclable loan basis which means that once the money is repaid, it is used again to fund new loans.

The Local Authorities who have been allocated the loan funding are Denbighshire, Newport, Neath Port Talbot, Cardiff, Pembrokeshire, Wrexham, Conwy, Powys, Gwynedd, Rhondda Cynon Taff, Ceredigion and Anglesey. 

Communities and Children Secretary, Carl Sargeant said:

“This funding will help Local Authorities regenerate their town centres by helping them find sustainable uses for empty sites and premises such as affordable town centre homes or tourist and leisure attractions.

“As well as making town centres more attractive places to live this loan scheme will help encourage investment into these areas as well as support the local economy.”

As part of the £8.3 million scheme Highways England will be widening some of the approaches to the M1 roundabout and adding an extra lane to sections of the roundabout itself, increasing it from 2 to 3 lanes.

Most of the work for the 30 week scheme will be carried out during the day. However, some overnight closures will be required with the first taking place tonight, Thursday 2 until Saturday 4 February between 7pm and 6am.

During the overnight closures the M1 southbound carriageway between junctions 46 and 44, and all the approaches to the M1 junction 45 roundabout will be closed so narrow lanes can be installed. While the scheme is ongoing there will also be a reduced speed limit of 50mph on the M1 and a 30mph limit on the slip roads and roundabout.

Highways England project manager Derek Dobinson said:

We are investing more than £15 billion in over 100 schemes across England that will enhance, renew and improve the network. We recognise that this is an important junction which serves a major route into Leeds city centre and is the main access for a number of major businesses and that is why we are investing £8.3 million to improve it.

This scheme, once complete, will improve capacity, reduce congestion and improve the safety for drivers. Predominantly work will be carried out during the day during off peak hours but they may be the occasional overnight closure of the slip roads and the M1.

As well as carrying out improvements to the roundabout, new traffic signal crossings, and improved cycle and pedestrian routes will be installed.

Further information can be found on the scheme website.

Similar improvements have recently been completed at junction 26 of the M62 where it meets the M606. The extra lane was opened to traffic back in December around Chain Bar roundabout and the new traffic signals were installed this month.

Over the next few weeks, contractors will be taking down the old traffic signals and completing the landscaping and pedestrian and cycle route work. These will be carried out at night when traffic levels are at their lowest.

General enquiries

Members of the public should contact the Highways England customer contact centre on 0300 123 5000.

Media enquiries

Journalists should contact the Highways England press office on 0844 693 1448 and use the menu to speak to the most appropriate press officer.