A12 Margaretting Bypass (junctions 13 to 15) concrete road reconstruction
We have rebuilt the A12 Margaretting Bypass between junction 13 (Ingatestone) to junction 15 (Webb’s Farm Interchange/Three Mile Hill), including removing and replacing the concrete road surface to an asphalt one. This will have improved safety, created a smoother quieter journey, and extended the life of the road for the future.
Latest updates
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24 October 2024
Upcoming closures to replant vegetation
We'll be replanting vegetation along the verges of the A12 from Monday 4 November 2024. We'll work overnight, weather permitting. To carry out our work safely, we'll need to close some parts of the A12.
Closures and diversions
Monday 4 to Friday 8 November 2024, 9pm to 5am
The A12 northbound carriageway between junctions 12 (Brentwood) and 15 (Three Mile Hill)
Monday 11 November 2024, 8pm to 5am
A12 southbound carriageway between junction 16 (Galleywood) and 13 (Ingatestone).
Northbound diversion
- Drive south on the A12 to Gallows Corner
- Travel east on the A127
- Then onto the A130 northbound
- Re-join the A12 at junction 17
Southbound diversion
- Drive south to junction 17 onto the A130
- Travel west on the A127
- Re-join the A12 at the Gallows Corner roundabout
All dates are subject to change due to operational requirements and weather conditions.
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08 August 2024
Our work is completed
Our work on the £75 million A12 Margaretting Bypass scheme in Essex has been completed – with the road fully open to drivers from Thursday 8 August 2024.
Work to repair the existing concrete road, that had to come to end of its serviceable life, began in February 2023.
Now a new, quieter, asphalt surface will improve journeys for the 35,000 road users who use the route, between junction 13 at Ingatestone and junction 15 at Three Mile Hill, each day.
The modern road, which will have a lifespan of 40 to 50 years, will be easier and quicker to repair in future – and innovative ways of working during the project have also cut carbon emissions.
Thank you for your patience whilst we did this important work.
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05 July 2024
Work nears completion
After we’ve moved our roadworks into their final layout, we’ll need a series of overnight closures throughout July 2024 to complete the remaining activities before we finish our work.
During our overnight closures, we’ll be busy completing a variety of jobs, such as:
- Finishing the reconstruction of the central reservation
- Reinstating crossover locations
- Installing new signs
We’ll also remove all traffic management from the A12, ahead of scheme completion and the return to 70mph in early August 2024. We’ll be sure to provide more information regarding scheme completion in the coming weeks.
To work safely, we'll need to close the motorway and slip roads at various locations. Please remember that closure details can change at short notice. For the most up-to-date information on dates, times and locations, check our daily closures page.
Diversion routes will be clearly signposted. Please don't follow your satnav during any closure and check your journey before you travel.
If you have any queries about this work, please contact us by email: info@nationalhighways.co.uk or call 0300 123 5000.
Diversion route information
During the overnight road closures, the following signed diversion routes will be in place:
Southbound traffic will be diverted south at junction 17 onto the A130, before travelling west on the A127, ahead of re-joining the A12 at the Gallows Corner roundabout.
Northbound traffic will be diverted south on the A12 to Gallows Corner, traffic will then travel east on the A127, then onto the A130 northbound to re-join the A12 at J17.
All dates are subject to change due to operational requirements and weather conditions.
Project information
Overview
We will be reconstructing the A12 Margaretting Bypass (between junction 13 at Ingatestone and junction 15 at Three Mile Hill). Reconstruction will involve completely removing the concrete road surface and some of the foundations, before rebuilding the road and resurfacing it with asphalt.
The East region has the highest concentration of concrete roads on our road network, including the A14, A12, A120, A11 and M11.
Around half of the old-style concrete roads will either have repairs or will be replaced during the next five years.
We’re using innovative ways of working and new technology to provide a modern road that will last for decades to come. This will also make it easier and quicker for us to carry out repairs in the future.
Find out more about our nationwide Concrete Roads work.
Roadworks
We’re using a contraflow system during construction of the scheme.
A contraflow is when the road is shut in one direction and traffic is then moved over to drive on the other side of the road to share the remaining road space. This provides us with a clear working area, which means we can work more quickly and safely.
By using a contraflow, the A12 can have two lanes of traffic in each direction for most of the construction period. This will minimise the disruption to local communities and road users, limit the need for road closures and diversions, and allow the work to take place safely.
While the contraflow is in place, the carriageway will be reduced to two lanes both northbound and southbound. Full road closures are only be needed when we set up and take down our roadworks. The speed limit will be temporarily reduced for safety.
Benefits
The surface of concrete roads that were designed between the 1950s and 1970s have an average life span of 50 years. Their surfaces are now reaching the stage where they will need to be repaired or replaced for safety reasons, and to help them be less noisy and better to drive on.
In late 2020, we made repairs to the A12 road surface between junction 22 and junction 24 in both directions. During early 2021, we resurfaced the A12 southbound main carriageway between junctions 27 to 26, and also repaired the road surface at the slip roads at junction 27. And in late 2021, we completed repairs to the A12 between junctions 15 and 19.
This video explains the process we go through to rebuild concrete roads:
There is more reconstruction, resurfacing and other maintenance work scheduled for 2023 on other stretches of this road.
When our work is complete, we will have:
- improved safety and provided a smoother rider for road users
- reduced noise levels
- created a new modern road with a 40 to 50-year lifespan that’ll be easier and quicker for us to repair in future
Diversion routes
Diversion routes
It will be necessary at key points in our scheme to put in place some full road closures.
During full road closures, a fully signed diversion route will be in place for traffic wishing to travel on the A12 between junctions 13 and 16.
Southbound traffic will be diverted from the A12 at junction 17 to travel south on the A130 before turning west and joining the A127 until it meets the A12 at the Gallows Corner junction in Romford.
Northbound traffic will travel eastbound along the A127, before travelling north along the A130, ahead of re-joining the A12 at junction 17.
A local diversion route will also be in place for residents who wish to access the A12 north or southbound during full closures.
Documents
Related Road projects
Traffic information
Information about scheduled roadworks and events on our motorways and major roads.X
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