A46 Six Hills

Latest updates

• 02 May 2024

  May closure update

  As our work in Phase 6 draws to a close, we’ve removed the contraflow system from the northbound carriageway of the A46 between Station Road and the A606 junction.

  For safety reasons, a 24/7 single lane closure is in place on the northbound carriageway and will remain until Friday 3 May.

  We’re currently working in Phase 5, as well as finishing off the final elements of phases 2 and 3. To minimise disruption, we’re working overnight when the A46 is at its quietest.

  Both the north and southbound carriageways will be closed between the A606 and A607 junctions, Monday to Friday, between 8pm and 6am with a diversion signposted via Melton Mowbray, along the A606 and A607. These full overnight road closures will continue for four weeks.

  We’re sorry for the interruption this work may cause to your journey and we encourage drivers to plan ahead and allow extra time when travelling. All closures are subject to change at short notice due to unforeseen circumstances or poor weather conditions. Please check this webpage and our X (formerly Twitter) account (@HighwaysEMIDS) before travelling for the latest information.

  Details of all full closures on England’s motorways and major A roads over the next week can be found at: www.nationalhighways.co.uk/travel-updates/road-closure-report

• 12 April 2024

  Scheme update

  We’re continuing our repairs in Phase 6, on the southbound carriageway. All A46 traffic continues to use a contraflow system along the northbound carriageway between Station Road and the A606 junction. This contraflow system will remain in place until later in April.

  Motorists using the A606 junction will be able to leave the A46 via the A606 slip road when travelling northbound, but southbound traffic cannot join the A46 while the contraflow is in operation. 

  Upcoming closures

  We’ll begin a series of overnight closures on Monday 15 April. The southbound carriageway will be closed between the A606 and A607 junctions Monday to Friday, from 8pm to 6am. These closures will last for one week and a diversion will be signposted via Melton Mowbray, along the A606 and A607.

  We’ll then start work on Phase 5, using overnight closures on both carriageways between the A606 and A607 junctions, from Monday 22 April. Both the north and southbound carriageways will be closed Monday to Friday, between 8pm and 6am with a diversion signposted via Melton Mowbray, along the A606 and A607. These full overnight closures will continue for four weeks.

  Completion date

  Although we’d hoped to complete all road improvements this spring, as our work has progressed we’ve found more sections of the road need to be repaired than originally anticipated. Coupled with the exceptionally wet winter, this has had a detrimental impact on our programme. We now expect to remove all traffic management and open the road in the summer.

  Our team is working as quickly as possible to complete all the remaining work. The contraflow system allows for extra shifts to be worked and we’re closing some junctions overnight to speed up progress, keep everyone safe and minimise disruption.

  We’re sorry for the interruption this work may cause to your journey and we encourage drivers to plan ahead and allow extra time when travelling. All closures are subject to change at short notice due to unforeseen circumstances or poor weather conditions. Please check this webpage and our X (formerly Twitter) account (@HighwaysEMIDS) before travelling for the latest information.

  Details of all full closures on England’s motorways and major A roads over the next week can be found at: www.nationalhighways.co.uk/travel-updates/road-closure-report.

• 05 March 2024

  Contraflow in effect

  On Tuesday 27 February 2024 there was a vehicle fire on the A46 between the A6006 and A606, which delayed our plans to install a contraflow on the A46.

  A contraflow is when the road is shut in one direction and traffic is then moved over to drive on the opposite side of the road to share the remaining carriageway.

  The Phase 6 contraflow is now in place and operating around the clock, 24/7.

  Road users should note that the A606 Melton Road entry slip to the A46 southbound is closed due to the contraflow being in place.

  Drivers should join the A46 northbound and take the next exit at Kinoulton, where they can cross over and join the A46 southbound to continue their journey.

  We do apologise for any inconvenience our essential work may cause.

• 23 February 2024

  Phase six update

  Thank you for your patience while we continue to repair the A46 carriageway between Six Hills and Widmerpool.

  We have now concluded Phase 4 of our work to repair the northbound carriageway just south of the junction for Back Lane and Willoughby-on-the-Wolds.

  For engineering reasons, we need to postpone work on Phase 5 and move instead to begin work on Phase 6, resurfacing 3.9km of the southbound carriageway from the A46 Melton Road junction.

  Road closures

  To allow us to safely move the contraflow to the southbound carriageway, a series of overnight closures are necessary on both sides of the A46.

  Overnight closures began on Monday 19 February, for five nights, between 8pm and 6am, in both directions from Cossington to Widmerpool.

  During the daytime, traffic will be restricted to a single lane in a southbound direction but we will have two lanes open on the northbound carriageway. We’re sorry for any inconvenience this may cause.

  From Monday 26 February to Friday 1 March 2024, the following overnight carriageway closures will be in place from 8pm to 6am:

  • Northbound from Cossington to Widmerpool
    
    
  • Southbound from Kinoulton to Cossington

  During the daytime, traffic will be restricted to a single lane in each direction for the safety of road users.

  At 6am on Saturday 2 March, southbound traffic will begin running on the northbound carriageway under a contraflow system.

  A contraflow is when the road is shut in one direction and traffic is then moved over to drive on the opposite side of the road to share the remaining carriageway.

  The contraflow arrangement will be in place for approximately eight weeks. This will allow us to operate 24/7, so we can complete our work more quickly and safely.

  The slip roads that will be affected on the southbound side will be:

  • A606 entry slip
  • Station road exit and entry slips

  When carriageway and slip road closures are in effect, signed diversion routes will be in place to help drivers complete their journeys.

  Contact us

  If you have any questions, please:

  Email: A46Sixhills@volkerfitzpatrick.co.uk
  Telephone: 0300 123 5000
  
  You can also register to receive regular scheme updates by email, using the link at the right-hand side of this webpage.

• 05 February 2024

  Round the clock contraflow

  Thank you for your ongoing patience while we continue to repair the A46 carriageway between Six Hills and Widmerpool.
  
  We’re currently working day and night under contraflow measures so our crew can complete the road surface repairs as quickly as possible. Please note a temporary speed limit of 40 mph is also in effect to ensure the safety of road users and our staff.
  
  A contraflow is when the road is shut in one direction and traffic is then moved over to drive on the opposite side of the road to share the remaining carriageway.

  Overnight closures

  In addition to our resurfacing work, we need to make urgent repairs to safety cameras along this section of the A46.

  To safely undertake these repairs, a series of closures to both the northbound and southbound carriageways between Cossington and Widmerpool will be required overnight, from 8pm to 6am, on:
  
  • Monday 5 February 2024
  • Tuesday 6 February 2024
  • Wednesday 7 February 2024
  
  A signposted diversion route will be in place via Melton Mowbray, along the A606 and A607.
  
  From 6am on Thursday 8 February 2024, we’ll return to contraflow traffic measures under Phase 4 of our work on the northbound carriageway.
  
  We are sorry for any inconvenience our work may cause.

• 11 January 2024

  Contraflow install

  Thank you for your patience while we continue to repair the A46 carriageway between Six Hills and Widmerpool. So far, we’ve been working under overnight closures, as we’ve now completed our surveys and planning, we’ll start moving towards a contraflow system.

  What is a contraflow system?

  A contraflow is when the road is shut in one direction and traffic is then moved over to drive on the opposite side of the road to share the remaining carriageway.

  This will allow us to operate 24/7, so we can complete our work more quickly and safely. In addition, the contraflow system provides us with increased time and flexibility to address any potential issues promptly.

  Closures and diversion route

  Overnight closures on both the northbound and southbound carriageway will continue Monday to Friday from 8pm to 6am until Thursday 25 January 2024. During this time, we’ll begin to install the safety systems needed for the contraflow, this will include temporary speed restrictions. This is important, as it will allow for road users to drive through the contraflow system safely.

  We expect the contraflow to be in place in use on Friday 26 January 2024. We’ll start our work on Phase 4 on the northbound carriageway before continuing onto Phase 5 (see map below). This means that one lane of traffic will flow in each direction along the southbound carriageway. There is a possibility of delays at busy periods, so we encourage you to plan your journeys where possible.

  During our overnight closures a diversion route will be provided on the A606/A607, or occasionally on the A52/A1/A607. We’re aware that Leicestershire County Council will have some diversions in place around Melton Mowbray during the next two weeks. We’ll signpost any necessary alteration to the diversion route.

  Please note our planned works may be subject to change due to weather conditions or unforeseen circumstances. Where possible, we’ll notify you if there are any changes to the schedule.

  

  Contact us

  If you have any questions, please:

  • Email: A46Sixhills@volkerfitzpatrick.co.uk
  • Telephone: 0300 123 5000

  You can also register to receive regular scheme updates by email, using the link at the right-hand side of this webpage.

• 02 January 2024

  January closure update

  Tomorrow, we’ll recommence our maintenance work to the A46 carriageway between Six Hills and Widmerpool. The team will continue to carry out repair work under overnight closures.

  As a reminder, A46 northbound and southbound will be closed between its junctions with the A606 (Melton Road) and A607 (Cossington) from 8pm to 6am. A diversion route will be provided on the A606/A607.

  Local access is available to the slip roads and properties between A607 (Cossington) and the Six Hills junction. But there is no access to or from the Six Hills roundabout, and the A46 is closed to through traffic.

  Our current programme of closures is: 

  • A46 southbound overnight carriageway closure, Wednesday 3 January to Friday 5 January
  • A46 northbound and southbound overnight carriageway closure, Monday 8 January to Friday 12 January
  • A46 northbound and southbound overnight carriageway closure, Monday 15 January to Friday 19 January

  Diversion route

  Please note our planned works may be subject to change due to weather conditions or unforeseen circumstances. Where possible, we’ll notify you if there are any changes to the schedule.

  In all cases, residents and businesses within the closure will be provided an escort through the construction area.

  Contact us

  If you have any questions, please:

  • Email: A46Sixhills@volkerfitzpatrick.co.uk
  • Telephone: 0300 123 5000

  You can also register to receive regular scheme updates by email, using the link at the right-hand side of this webpage.

• 11 December 2023

  December closure update

  The recent pattern of extreme weather resulted in the cancellation of some overnight shifts last week. For this reason, we’ll be carrying out an additional shift on Monday 18 December before roadworks are halted before the Christmas period. Work will re-commence with an overnight closure on Wednesday 3 January 2024.

  As a reminder, we’ll continue to close the A46 southbound overnight between its junctions with the A606 (Melton Road) and A607 (Cossington) from 8pm to 6am. A diversion route will be provided on the A606/A607. 

  Our current programme of closures is: 

  • A46 southbound carriageway closure, Monday 11 December to Friday 15 December
  • A46 southbound carriageway closure, Monday 18 December

  Diversion route

  Please note our planned works may be subject to change due to weather conditions or unforeseen circumstances. Where possible, we’ll notify you if there are any changes to the schedule.

  In all cases, residents and businesses within the closure will be provided an escort through the construction area.

  Contact us

  If you have any questions, please:

  • Email: A46Sixhills@volkerfitzpatrick.co.uk
  • Telephone: 0300 123 5000

  You can also register to receive regular scheme updates by email, using the link at the right-hand side of this webpage.

• 01 December 2023

  December closure update

  We’ve made an update to our schedule for December and will remain on the southbound carriageway for the next two weeks.

  As a reminder, we’ll continue to close the A46 southbound overnight between its junctions with the A606 (Melton Road) and A607 (Cossington) from 8pm to 6am. A diversion route will be provided on the A606/A607.

  Our current programme of closures is:

  • A46 southbound carriageway closure, Monday 4 December and Tuesday 5 December

  • A46 southbound  carriageway closure, Wednesday 6 December to Friday 8 December

  • A46 southbound carriageway closure, Monday 11 December to Friday 15 December

  Friday 15 December will be our last overnight shift, before roadworks are halted for the Christmas period. Work will re-commence on Wednesday 3 January 2024.

  Diversion route

  Please note our planned works may be subject to change due to weather conditions or unforeseen circumstances. Where possible, we’ll notify you if there are any changes to the schedule.

  In all cases, residents and businesses within the closure will be provided an escort through the construction area.

  Contact us

  If you have any questions, please:

  • Email: A46Sixhills@volkerfitzpatrick.co.uk
  • Telephone: 0300 123 5000

  You can also register to receive regular scheme updates by email, using the link at the right-hand side of this webpage.

• 20 November 2023

  November and December closure update

  During November and December, we’ll continue to work under overnight closures, as we’re making good progress on concrete repairs during our night shifts.

  We’ll continue to close the A46 northbound and southbound overnight between its junctions with the A606 (Melton Road) and A607 (Cossington) from 8pm to 6am. A diversion route will be provided on the A606/A607.

  Our current programme of closures is:

  • A46 southbound carriageway closure, Monday 20 November to Friday 24 November
  • A46 southbound carriageway closure, Monday 27 November to Friday 1 December
  • A46 southbound carriageway closure, Monday 4 December and Tuesday 5 December
  • A46 northbound carriageway closure, Wednesday 6 December to Friday 8 December
  • A46 northbound carriageway closure, Monday 11 December to Friday 15 December

  Friday 15 December will be our last overnight shift, before roadworks are halted for the Christmas period. Work will re-commence on Wednesday 3 January 2024.

  Diversion route

  Please note our planned works may be subject to change due to weather conditions or unforeseen circumstances. Where possible, we’ll notify you if there are any changes to the schedule.

  In all cases, residents and businesses within the closure will be provided an escort through the construction area.

  Contact us

  If you have any questions, please:

  • Email: A46Sixhills@volkerfitzpatrick.co.uk
  • Telephone: 0300 123 5000

  You can also register to receive regular scheme updates by email, using the link at the right-hand side of this webpage.

• 03 November 2023

  November closure update

  For the remainder of November, we’ll continue to work under overnight closures, as we’re happy with the current progress we’re making during night shifts. We expect to complete phase 1 of our concrete repair work this month but will also begin phase 2 on Monday 6 November. Throughout this month, we’re also carrying out concrete retexturing and asphalt resurfacing through all 6 phases of the scheme.

  We’ll continue to close the A46 northbound and southbound overnight between its junctions with the A606 (Melton Road) and A607 (Cossington) from 8pm to 6am. A diversion route will be provided on the A606/A607.

   

  Please note, our planned works may be subject to change due to weather conditions or unforeseen circumstances. Where possible, we’ll notify you if there are any changes to the schedule. 

  In all cases, residents and businesses within the closure will be provided an escort through the construction area.

  Contact us

  If you have any questions, please:

  • Email: A46Sixhills@volkerfitzpatrick.co.uk
  • Telephone: 0300 123 5000

  You can also register to receive regular scheme updates by email, using the link at the right-hand side of this webpage.

• 24 October 2023

  Phase 1 begins on Wednesday 25 October 2023

  Following our last update, we’ve now completed our surveys and will commence phase 1 of our concrete repair work on Wednesday 25 October 2023. We’ll be starting the work under overnight road closures until the contraflow is installed, more information will be provided soon.  

  Closure information

  On Wednesday 25 October to Friday 27 October 2023, the A46 northbound between Paddys Lane and the A607 (Cossington) will be closed overnight from 8pm to 6am. The southbound carriageway will remain open. 

  The following week, from Monday 30 October to Friday 3 November 2023, the A46 northbound and southbound between its junctions with the A606 (Melton Road) and A607 (Cossington) will be closed overnight from 8pm to 6am.

  For both closures, a diversion route will be provided on the A606/A607.

  In all cases, residents and businesses within the closure will be provided an escort through the construction area.

  Contact us

  If you have any questions, please:

  • Email: A46Sixhills@volkerfitzpatrick.co.uk
  • Telephone: 0300 123 5000

  You can also register to receive regular scheme updates by email, using the link at the right-hand side of this webpage.

• 13 October 2023

  Roadworks paused until 23 October 2023

  As part of our preparatory work to extend the life of the concrete section of the A46 between Six Hills and Widmerpool, we’ve been carrying out surveys and removing sections of safety barrier.

  To deliver this work safely, over the last few weeks we’ve closed the road overnight and put in place a 40mph speed limit.

  The results we’ve received from the surveys have revealed unexpected technical issues which our team need to assess further. While we do this, to minimise disruption to motorists we’ve reopened the laybys and central reservation gaps on the A46 and removed the 40mph restriction.

  We expect our roadworks to resume later this month, when the 40mph limit will be reinstated. We’ll publish more information about this soon.

  In the meantime, if you have any questions please:

  • Email: A46Sixhills@volkerfitzpatrick.co.uk
  • Telephone: 0300 123 5000

  You can also register to receive regular scheme updates by email, using the link at the right-hand side of this webpage.

• 22 August 2023

  Work to start on 25 September 2023

  On 25 September 2023 we’ll start reconstructing nearly six miles of the A46 between Six Hills and Widmerpool, with work expected to be complete in March 2024. The scheme aims to make the road safer by improving the road surface and reducing the number of unplanned interventions required to keep both the northbound and southbound carriageways operational.

  We’ll be using a contraflow system to keep the A46 open and traffic moving during the reconstruction of the road. This is when the road is shut in one direction and traffic is then moved over to drive on the opposite side of the road to share the remaining carriageway. This provides us with a clear working area that means we can work more quickly and safely. We’ll be using our contraflow to keep the road network moving 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.

  Preparatory work

  For the first three weeks (25 September – 15 October 2023) we’ll need to carry out full overnight road closures from Monday to Friday. The road will close at 8pm and open by 6am the following morning. During this time, we’ll install CCTV, temporary speed cameras, as well as the first contraflow section.
  
  This means, there will be differing lengths of lane closures left on during the days as the contraflow barriers start to be erected and left in place. It will be split into 6 phases as shown in the map below: 

  

  Diversion routes

  As we finish each section of the road and move onto the next phase, we’ll continue to carry out overnight road closures so we can switch contraflow sections. Please note, some slip roads will also be closed throughout the works.
  
  To help relieve congestion and try to keep disruption to a minimum, we’ll be providing a diversion route using A606/A607 for non-HGVs, to relive pressure on the A46, while making it clear that local roads should be used by local traffic only.
  
  We’ll engage with the local and wider community throughout the construction period, ensuring everyone is kept up to date with the latest information so they can make an informed decision about their journey.

  Public Information Events

  Prior to the work beginning our teams will at Melton Mowbray market on Saturday 2 September 2023 and Tuesday 12 September 2023, 8am until 3pm (Market Pl, Melton Mowbray LE13 1XD) to answer questions and provide more information on the maintenance work and contraflow system.

• 04 April 2023

  Scheme update

  Since our last update, we’re still carrying out planning and preparation work so we can deliver a cost-effective scheme with minimal disruption. As part of this, we’ll be in the local area to complete an ecological survey. The surveyors will carry out a visual assessment and take photos of specific areas adjacent to the A46 and look for any field signs of protected species that may be impacted.

  We’re still committed to delivering this scheme and hope to begin the work later this year. Any business and individuals directly impacted will be contacted directly in the coming months.

  Find out more information

  To stay up to date with the latest traffic information in your area, we recommend motorists follow us on Twitter (@HighwaysEMIDs). If you’d like any further information about the A46 Six Hills, please:

  • Email: A46Sixhills@volkerfitzpatrick.co.uk
  • Telephone: 0300 123 5000

  You can also register to receive regular scheme updates by email, using the link at the right-hand side of this webpage.

• 16 February 2023

  Work to commence in May 2023

  We're working in partnership with VolkerFitzpatrick to deliver this essential maintenance scheme. Road users and communities will be kept informed and updated through a range of emails, letters, local forums and social media.

  We aim to:

  • Keep our programme for these works as short as possible to minimise disruption, we’ll potentially be working 24 hours a day, 5 days per week
  • Put in place a 24-hour contraflow, this is where the traffic crosses onto to the opposite carriageway to allow traffic to flow during the works
  • Have a diversion route via the A606/B676 for non-HGVs to relieve pressure on the network