South West - Maintenance schemes

We recognise the environmental value of trees, and manage our trees through their whole lifecycle, to control safety risk and optimise the environmental value provided by trees. 

In the South West we manage a large estate including significant areas of woodland by the side of our roads. Our tree specialists carry out regular inspections for safety and general woodland management. 

We also have a legal obligation to ensure our strategic road network remains safe to road users and the trees in our care do not pose a hazard to adjacent property. Where possible we will make trees safe, and as a last resort remove dead or dying trees when advised to do so by our specialists. 

Ash dieback is significant across the South West region, it has spread rapidly to the trees alongside our roads over recent years. 

Regrettably, surveys by our specialists have found dry conditions and increased temperatures have increased stress on already diseased trees and many ash trees are deteriorating quickly. A large proportion are now dead or dying and pose a potential safety risk, leaving us with no alternative other than to make them safe or remove them. 

Over the coming months, we will remove or make safe ash trees identified for urgent action. We will also be replanting trees in some locations. 

We will be removing and replanting in the following locations: 

• The A30 between Whitecross, Cornwall, and Shillingford Abbot, Devon. 
• The A38 between Tamar Bridge and Exeter. 

The tree work along the A30 will start on Tuesday 22 April and will last approximately 6 weeks. 

The tree work along the A38 will be carried out in two phases: 

• Phase one (Tamar Bridge to Lee Mill) will start on Monday 19 May and will last approximately 7 weeks. 
• Phase two (Lee Mill to Exeter) will start on Monday 3 November and will last approximately 5 months. 

The work will take place overnight. 

Traffic management will include a combination of lanes closures and complete carriageway closures depending on the work taking place. If needed, diversion routes will be fully signposted. 

Ash dieback is a national issue and more information from the Forestry Commission can be found. 

Also, please refer to the Tree Council - Ash dieback a tree owners guide 

We’re upgrading a number of weather stations on our road network to maintain safety and improve the journey for road users. We use roadside weather stations to collect information like road temperature and atmospheric conditions. 

As part of these upgrades, the following works will be taking place on the A303 at Eagle Tavern: 

• 27 May – 13 June (8pm to 6am) on weeknights, four-way traffic lights in operation at the Eagle Tavern junction 
• 10 June – four-way temporary traffic lights (8pm to 6am) with a switch. Traffic will be held for a short duration whilst the switch is completed

Please remember that closures can change at short notice. You can check the latest information on our daily closures page or find live travel information on our Traffic England site. Our travel alerts give details of live incidents on our network.

Work

We’re undertaking maintenance work on the A36 between Quidhampton and St Paul’s roundabout. The work includes carriageway repairs and resurfacing. 

We’ll be working overnight from 8pm – 6am. This is when there are fewer vehicles on the road.

Closures

The A36 will be closed in both directions overnight (8pm – 6am) between Quidhampton and St Paul’s roundabout, on:

• Thursday 26 June
• Friday 27 June

The road will be open as usual during the day.

Diversion

During our works, well signed diversions will be in place. 

Road users will be diverted via The Avenue and the A360.

Access will be maintained for properties directly within the closures. Please speak to the team at the closure points. 

We'll do all that we can to keep disruption to a minimum. Where possible, noisier works will be completed in the early evening.

This work is subject to favourable weather conditions. For example, heavy rain may affect the progress. If we’re unable to complete our work as planned, we may need to continue beyond the dates stated above. 

Please plan ahead and allow extra time for your journeys. 

Please remember that closures can change at short notice. You can check the latest information on our daily closures page or find live travel information on our Traffic England. Our travel alerts give details of live incidents on our network.

We'll be working 6am to 6pm on weekdays only from Tuesday 27 May until Friday 30 May.

Traffic management

Two-way temporary traffic lights between Highbury Avenue and Finchley Road (located on the A36 down Wilton Road). 

We'll close the footpath during our works. There will be a well signed diversion route for pedestrians.

The bus stop on the north side will also be temporarilly out of service. This will help limit congestion through temporary traffic signals. 

We'll maintain access to properties throughout. 

If we’re unable to complete our work as planned, we may need to continue work beyond these dates.

Please remember that closures can change at short notice. You can check the latest information on our daily closures page or find live travel information on our Traffic England site. Our travel alerts give details of live incidents on our network.

We’re upgrading a number of weather stations on our road network to maintain safety and improve the journey for road users. We use roadside weather stations to collect information like road temperature and atmospheric conditions.

From Monday 7 to Friday 25 July, we’ll be upgrading our station on the A38 at Landrake. To allow this work to be carried out safely, we’ll need to close Tideford Road between Prospect House and the A38 on weekdays between 8am and 6pm.

View the diversion route map.

Please remember that closures can change at short notice. You can check the latest information on our daily closures page or find live travel information on our Traffic England site. Our travel alerts give details of live incidents on our network.

Working with Vision Zero South West Road Safety Partnership, we’re taking steps to improve safety along the A38 in Cornwall. We’re delivering an average speed camera scheme between Carkeel and Trerulefoot.

In partnership with Cornwall Council and Devon & Cornwall Police and other external partners, we’ll be installing new cameras over a six-mile section of road. 

The scheme will comprise of:

• 10 average speed camera installations
• two new spot speed cameras between the Carkeel roundabout and Trerulefoot
• new 30mph speed restrictions installed in the villages of Landrake and Tideford.

Works are due to start on Monday 02 June and will last approximately six weeks. 

We'll be working overnight (Monday – Friday from 8pm – 6am) at various locations on the A38 between Carkeel and Trerulefoot. 

To keep our team and road users safe, temporary two-way traffic lights will be in place at some of the sites while we’re working.

The road will be open as usual during the day and at weekends. 

Please plan ahead and allow extra time for your journeys. 

Dates may change at short notice due to poor weather conditions or operational reasons. If we’re unable to complete our work as planned, we may need to continue beyond the dates stated above.

For more details we'll be sharing press releases about the scheme.

Work

We're carrying out essential maintenance on the A419 and A417.

The work will include planned routine activities such as grass cutting, gully cleaning and vegetation management.

Closures

There will be overnight closures between (8pm and 6am) at the following locations on the following dates: 

Wednesday 4 June, Thursday 5 June, Friday 6 June, Monday 9 June, Monday 16 June and Tuesday 17 June

• A417 between the Burford Road interchange and the Air Balloon roundabout 

Tuesday 10 June, Wednesday 11 June, Thursday 12 June, Friday 13 June, Monday 16 June and Tuesday 17 June

• A417 between the Burford Road interchange and the Air Balloon roundabout

Wednesday 18 June

• M5 Junction 11A and the A417 between M5 Junction 11A and the A46 Shurdington Road junction 

Thursday 19 June

• A417 between the A46 Shurdington Road junction and the M5 Junction 11A 

 Friday 20 June and Monday 23 June

• A417 between the Air Balloon roundabout and the A46 Shurdington Road junction 

Diversions

Diversion routes will be well signposted. Please follow the diversion routes. Do not use your sat nav. 

Should you need access to a property within the closure traffic management personnel will be available to assist. A contact number will be provided at the closure entrance, which you will need to call to arrange access. Please note, you may need to wait while safety measures are put into place to allow safe passage through the work site. 

Some of the work being carried out will be noisy and we will try to minimise any disruption, but please note that this will not always be possible.

The A46 carriageway (between the M4 junction 18 roundabout and A46 Cold Ashton Roundabout) will be closed in both directions for one night on Monday 2 June (10pm to 6am). 

We’ll be doing routine maintenance including grass cutting, drainage, sign repairs, sweeping and inspections. 

The road will be open as usual during the day. 

Diversions

A well signed diversion will be in place. 

For the southbound diversion (LGVs):

• follow M4 eastbound to junction 17 
• go south on A350 
• turn right onto the A420 and follow to Cold Ashton roundabout 

Northbound diverted traffic to follow in reverse. 

For the southbound diversion (non-LGV traffic): 

• travel north on A46 
• turn right onto Norley Lane 
• turn right onto Marshfield Road and follow 
• turn right onto the A420 to follow Cold Ashton roundabout 

Northbound diverted traffic to follow in reverse. 

Access to properties within the closure will be maintained throughout. Please speak to the team at the closure point. 

Please remember that closures can change at short notice. You can check the latest information on our daily closures page or find live travel information on our Traffic England site. Our travel alerts give details of live incidents on our network.

You'll find more information ion this scheme on our page Safety schemes in the South West region.

Work

We’re resurfacing the M5 (northbound) between Junction 31 and 30. This will maintain and improve safety for everyone using the road and reduce the need for any unplanned closures.

We’ll be working weeknights (Monday – Friday, 8pm – 6am). This is when there is the least amount of traffic using the road. 

The road will be open as usual during the day and at weekends. 

Closure 

Monday 16 June – Tuesday 8 July

• M5 northbound carriageway will be closed overnight (Monday – Friday, 8pm – 6am) between J31 – J30.

Well signed diversions will be in place. 

Diversion 

Traffic heading north leave via: 

• the M5 at Junction 31
• Follow the diversion along the A379. Rejoin the M5 at junction 30. 

Traffic along the A30: leave via:

• the A377.
• Join the diversion along the A379.
• Rejoin the M5 at junction 30.

This work is subject to favourable weather conditions, for example heavy rain may affect the progress.

If we’re unable to complete our work as planned, we may need to continue beyond the dates stated above. 

Please plan ahead and allow extra time for your journeys. 

We'll do all that we can to keep disruption to a minimum. However, we apologise in advance for any inconvenience caused.

Please remember that closures can change at short notice. You can check the latest information on our daily closures page or find live travel information on our Traffic England. Our travel alerts give details of live incidents on our network.

Somerset Council is refurbishing junction 26 of the M5 and the A38 Chelston link road near Wellington. The scheme will replace the old concrete road and motorway junction.

Junction 26 and the A38 link road will be closed for approximately 14 weeks. 

Works are due to start on 16 June until mid / late September. 

For more information about the scheme, please visit Somerset Council’s website.

We’re renewing and maintaining roadside safety barriers across the South West. 

Traffic management

We'll work weeknights only (Monday to Friday). We won't work during the day, over weekends, or during bank holiday weekends.

We'll use a mixture of:

• overnight (8pm to 6am) lane closures
• temporary traffic lights
• convoy systems - you'll be escorted through works behind a one of our vehicles at reduced speed.

If we need diversions, they'll be fully signposted. 

We’ll be working at 114 locations across the region. Works started on 31 March and will last approximately 20 weeks. 

We'll be working overnight at these locations:

Wiltshire - early to mid April, late May to mid June

M4 both directions
A36 southbound
A303 both directions

Gloucestershire - early April, early to mid-May, late June

M4 westbound
M5 both directions
A40 both directions 

Devon - mid to late April, late May, mid July to mid-August

M5 both directions
A38 both directions 

Somerset - late April to early May, mid-May to early June

M5 both directions
A303 eastbound 

Cornwall - late June to mid July, mid-August

A30 both directions
A38 both directions

Access to local properties

If you live close to where we're working, we'll contact you before we start. We'll maintain access for you throughout our works.

Please remember that closures can change at short notice. You can check the latest information on our daily closures page or find live travel information on our Traffic England site. Our travel alerts give details of live incidents on our network.