South West - Maintenance schemes

Did you know……

In the South West we manage approximately 8,800,000m² of woodland by the side of our roads, this equates to an area larger than Exmoor. Our tree specialists carry out regular inspections for safety and general woodland management. We aim to manage our woodlands and tree stock proactively by thinning, crowning, and coppicing to ensure our woodlands thrive. We also have a legal obligation to maintain a safe network, so must ensure our trees do not present a hazard to road users or adjacent property. We therefore, make safe or if necessary remove dead or dying trees.

Our recent tree condition surveys have shown a rapid increase in Ash Dieback throughout our region. This is also a national issue and more information from the Forestry Commission can be found at https://www.gov.uk/guidance/managing-ash-dieback-in-england .

Over this winter period we’ll be removing or making safe, trees which have been identified for action by our tree specialists. The work will take place mainly during the day although more complex work may need to be carried out at night under lane closures when traffic flows are at their lowest. Most sites are single or a small number of trees, and will be completed within 1 shift.

Appropriate measures are being put in place where dormice may be present and our environmental experts will be available to make sure protected species are not harmed during this work. We'll identify areas where screening or biodiversity connectivity may be affected.  For safety reasons, and to ensure planting is carried out at the best time of year for growth, replanting will be included in our programme for next winter. We’ll also allow natural regeneration to contribute to the re-establishment of native tree species within our woodlands.

The A36 is the most direct route from Bath to Southampton. It's mainly single carriageway and runs for approximately 63 miles through various villages, towns and cities. Parts of the route date back to Roman times.

Cracking has been observed in the southbound section of the footpath running between Limpley Stoke and Monkton Coombe. The extent of the cracking lies within the Bath, Somerset and Wiltshire boundaries. We're currently carrying out detailed surveys to fully understand the scale of the geological defect and monitor movement and groundwater levels within the slope. Safety is our number one priority and traffic management will remain in place to safeguard pedestrians and motorists until our surveys are complete.

A36 Limpley Stoke - March 2022 update

18, 19, 20, and 21 July 2022 - overnight closures

The A36 will be closed overnight, in both directions between Bathampton and Beckington. Drainage survey works will take place from 8 pm in the evening to 6 am the following morning.  A diversion will be in place via the A4, A350, A363, and A361. Access will be maintained for residents.

We need to carry out various works along the A38 between Heathfield and Haldon from December to July 2022.  We’ll be working on drainage, barriers, resurfacing, dead tree removal, and surveys. To reduce disruption we’ve packaged the work together to maximise the amount of work we can do during road and lane closures. We’ll work overnight Monday to Friday to minimise disruption to daytime traffic. During the day the road will be open as usual but please allow extra time for your journey if traveling overnight.

The work will be intermittent in various locations, under lane and overnight road closures. We’ll send targeted updates to residents alongside each phase of works and we’ll inform  Parish Councils of all stages.

The works are weather dependant but we’ll aim to give 2 weeks' notice of each stage.

Phase 1 - 1 to 17 December – 8pm to 6am

• Eastbound – overnight lane closures will be in place between Drumbridges and Chudleigh station.
• Westbound- overnight full road closure between Splatford Split and Goodstone. Traffic will be diverted to A380 at Splatford interchange, to Whare Barton, Green Hill Way, Newton Rd, Jetty Marsh Rd, A382 Exeter Rd and A383 Exeter Rd to re-join the A38 at Goodstone interchange.

Phase 2 - 20 December to 7 January 

20 December – overnight 8pm to 6am

• Eastbound – the A38 will be closed between Heathfield and Chudleigh station. A signed diversion route will be in place via A382, Jetty Marsh Rd, Newton Rd, Green Hill Way, A383 to Whare Barton interchange, A380 leave at Eagle Farm junction, B3195, Strap Lane, B3193 Clay Pits Way, B3344 to A38 at Chudleigh Station junction
• Westbound - various single lane closures will be in place

4 and 5 January – overnight 8pm to 6am

• Eastbound – various single lane closures will be in place
• Westbound - the A38 will be closed between Splatford Split and Goodstone. A signed diversion route will be in place via A380, Whare Barton, Green Hill Way, Newton Rd, Jetty Marsh Rd, A382 Exeter Rd, A383 Exeter Rd to A38 at Goodstone junction

6 and 7 January – overnight 8pm to 6am

• Eastbound – the A38 will be closed between Goodstone and Chudleigh station. A signed diversion route will be in place via A382, Jetty Marsh Rd, Newton Rd, Green Hill Way, A383 to Whare Barton interchange, A380 leave at Eagle Farm junction, B3195, Strap Lane, B3193 Clay Pits Way, B3344 to A38 at Chudleigh Station junction  
• Westbound - various single lane closures will be in place

Phase 3 - 10 January to 10 March

10 January and 4 February

• Eastbound – the A38 will be closed between Goodstone and Chudleigh station. A signed diversion route will be in place via A382, Jetty Marsh Rd, Newton Rd, Green Hill Way, A383 to Whare Barton interchange, A380 leave at Eagle Farm junction, B3195, Strap Lane, B3193 Clay Pits Way, B3344 to A38 at Chudleigh Station junction.
• Westbound – the carriageway will remain open.

7 February to 5 March

• Eastbound – the A38 will be closed between Goodstone and Chudleigh Station. A signed diversion route will be in place via A382, Jetty Marsh Rd, Newton Rd, Green Hill Way, A383 to Whare Barton interchange, A380 leave at Eagle Farm junction, B3195, Strap Lane, B3193 Clay Pits Way, B3344 to A38 at Chudleigh Station junction.
• Westbound - the A38 will be closed between Splatford Split and Goodstone. A signed diversion route will be in place via A380, Whare Barton, Green Hill Way, Newton Rd, Jetty Marsh Rd, A382 Exeter Rd, A383 Exeter Rd to A38 at Goodstone junction.

7 March to 9 March

• Eastbound – the A38 will be closed between Goodstone and Chudleigh station. A signed diversion route will be in place via A382, Jetty Marsh Rd, Newton Rd, Green Hill Way, A383 to Whare Barton interchange, A380 leave at Eagle Farm junction, B3195, Strap Lane, B3193 Clay Pits Way, B3344 to A38 at Chudleigh Station junction.
• Westbound – the carriageway will remain open with a section of A38 convoy working, the A38 Goodstone westbound entry slip will be closed.

10 March

• Eastbound – the A38 will be closed between Goodstone and Chudleigh Station. A signed diversion route will be in place via A382, Jetty Marsh Rd, Newton Rd, Green Hill Way, A383 to Whare Barton interchange, A380 leave at Eagle Farm junction, B3195, Strap Lane, B3193 Clay Pits Way, B3344 to A38 at Chudleigh Station junction.
• Westbound – the A38 will be closed between Splatford Split and Goodstone. A signed diversion route will be in place via A380, Whare Barton, Green Hill Way, Newton Rd, Jetty Marsh Rd, A382 Exeter Rd, A383 Exeter Rd to A38 at Goodstone junction.

Final phase - 11 March to 24 August

Drainage and barrier works on the eastbound carriageway at Chudleigh are ongoing and will complete on 29 May; we’ll start work on the westbound carriageway on 30 May and aim to complete 24 August. We’ll also carry out resurfacing on the westbound carriageway between Belvedere and Harcombe junction (Exeter Racecourse and Milestone Lane overbridge) from 12 to 27 May.

Work will be carried out overnight when traffic flows are at their lowest. Road closures will be in place between Splatford and Goodstone, during the day the road will be open as usual. Please accept our apologies in advance for any disruption which may be caused.

Traffic management

A38 Splatford to Goodstone 8pm to 6am the following morning

• 12 to 27 May – both directions, overnight closures will be in place westbound for resurfacing and eastbound for drainage and barrier works. Diversions as below.
• 28 & 29 May – eastbound only overnight closure for drainage and barrier work. Diversion as below.
• 30 May to 24 August – westbound only overnight closure for drainage and barrier work. Diversion as below.

Diversions

• Westbound A38 Splatford to Goodstone Cross junction – Traffic will be diverted via the A380 and A383, those requiring Chudleigh will be signed via the B3193. Local traffic will be able to join the A38 westbound at Drumbridges (Heathfield).
• Eastbound A38 Goodstone Cross junction to Splatford – Traffic will be diverted via the A383 and A380. Local traffic will be able to join the A38 eastbound at Belvedere Cross (Exeter Racecourse).

A National Highways funding stream is helping to improve the movement of fish on the River Ashburn alongside the A38 in Devon.

Westcountry Rivers Trust and the Environment Agency have identified an issue whereby fish – including salmon and eels – are unable to move upstream due to the four stepped weirs close to the A38 eastbound entry slip road at Buckfastleigh. We're investing £450,000 from our Environment and Wellbeing fund, to adapt the weirs to enable fish to navigate their way upstream to their traditional spawning grounds.

The scheme has been designed by Kier and will be delivered by Idverde UK in conjunction with the Westcountry Rivers Trust, Castleford Engineering and Fishtek Consulting. 

The area around the weirs is an environmentally significant location, sitting within Dartmoor National Park. The verges around the A38 eastbound entry slip road at Dart Bridge contain species rich grassland of county-wide importance, and are also home to rare orchids.

As the location also sits within a bat conservation area, no overnight work will take place to avoid disturbing bat activity.

The A38 Dartbridge eastbound entry slip will be closed 24/7 Monday to Friday. During this time a  short locally signed diversion will be in place. The slip road will be open as usual during the weekend and over Bank Holiday periods. 

We're working on the A38 Goodstone eastbound off-slip. A small sinkhole has been discovered adjacent to the carriageway and we need to carry out essential safety work. In order to complete this complex repair, we’ll need to close the A38 eastbound Goodstone off-slip to motorists, pedestrians, and cyclists.

Traffic management

Motorists will be diverted via Drumbridges junction while closures are in place.

Pedestrians will be diverted via a temporary footpath for the duration of the works.

We have now completed vegetation clearance and survey works on the site and are ready to move to the next stage of works.

The reconstruction of the embankment is complex and will need to be carried out in 2 phases. Phase 1 will see the installation of drains to lower the water level and phase 2 will see reconstruction of the embankment and reinstatement of the eastbound carriageway.

Phase 1 will begin at the end of October and we estimate it will take approximately 5 months to lower the water level sufficiently. Works will take place during daytime hours and the current eastbound traffic light system will remain in place 24/7.

May 2022 update

10 June 2022 - the A40 will be closed overnight (8 pm to 6 am) between Sterrys Lane and Saunders Close to allow us to carry out surveys.

Local traffic will be diverted via Saunders Close, Dursley Cross, and Sterrys Lane. HGV's and through traffic will be diverted via A417 to Bromsbarrow and M50 to Ross on Wye.

We’ll update again before phase 2 begins.

July 2022 update

We have now completed our investigation and survey works and will begin rebuilding the embankment. In order to complete this complex repair, we’ll need to close a small section of the A40.

8 August to February 2023 - the A40 will be closed 24/7 between Sterrys Lane and Saunders Close 

• Local traffic will be diverted via A4136 to Longhope and B4224 back to the A40
• HGV's and through traffic will be diverted via A417 to Bromsbarrow and M50 to Ross on Wye.

We’ll be installing additional safety barriers, where there are gaps, along this stretch of the M5 from October to August 2022. The work will be carried out in phases, we'll work overnight Sunday to Thursday 8 pm in the evening to 6 am the following morning. The hard shoulder and lane 1 closures (with some slip road closures) will be in place while we're working. The road will be open as usual during the day.

We’ll make every effort to ensure the impact on the local community and the traveling public is kept to a minimum.

Our planned works are listed below.  We always aim to work to the programme, however unforeseen circumstances or adverse weather conditions may mean changes. 

Safety barrier replacement works are planned for:
10/10/21 – 25/10/21 - J11-J10 northbound
25/10/21 - 05/12/22 - J10-J9 northbound
06/12/21 – 16/02/22 - J12-J11 northbound
20/02/22 – 27/3/22 - J11-J12 southbound

Slip road closures are planned for:
24/02/22 – 27/02/22 - J11a northbound
28/02/22 – 06/03/22 - J11 northbound
07/03/22 – 10/03/22 - J10 northbound
13/03/22 – 17/03/22 - J9 northbound

National Highways operates, maintains, and improves England’s motorways and major A roads. We also maintain the structures which cross our network.

Brookfield Road bridge crosses the M5 to the south of junction 11. The 3 span structure was built in 1970 and is now in need of extensive refurbishment. The bridge will be closed 24/7  from 4 January to December 2022 to allow us to carry out essential safety work. During this time there will be no access for motorists, pedestrians, or cyclists.

Works to the bridge are complex and will include concrete repairs to the bridge deck and supporting walls. We’ll also be replacing the bridge bearings, joints, edge beams,  parapets, and safety fencing.

In order to carry out these repairs we’ll need to:

• remove the surfacing and waterproofing on the bridge deck
• remove and replace any corroded steelwork and defective concrete
• jack up the bridge deck to replace the bridge bearings
• remove the concrete edge beams by hydro demolition and replace them with new reinforced concrete ones
• replace the waterproofing membrane to the deck  
• replacing the safety fencing
• install new bridge joints
• lay new surfacing

We’ll post regular updates and photos of the work here. Thank you for your patience while this essential safety work is carried out.

Newsletters

Brookfield Road bridge refurbishment - March 2022 update

Brookfield Road bridge refurbishment - May 2022 update

Brookfield Road bridge refurbishment - August 2022 update

We’re beginning preparatory work to install a footbridge at Michaelwood service station to link the northbound and southbound sites. To carry out the work safely we’ll need to close the M5 in both directions between junctions 13 and 14 on 3 December from 8pm to 6am the following morning. Traffic will be diverted via the A38.

Works will be ongoing through to summer 2022 and until then narrow lanes will be in place in the vicinity of the service station slip roads. 

As part of our commitment to safety, we’re improving verge stability, replacing safety barriers, and upgrading drainage on the M5 southbound between J28 and J29.

To complete the work safely the hard shoulder and lane 1 will be closed 24/7 from 4 January. There will be no work over the Easter break and we’ll ensure capacity is maintained over the Easter getaway by installing 3 narrow lanes. Some overnight closures will be needed to install traffic management:

Planned overnight closures 8pm to 6am

• 4 January – southbound M5 J28 to J29
• 13 April - southbound M5 J28 to J29
• 26 April - southbound M5 J28 to J29

A signed diversion will be in place via the A38 from Cullompton to Exeter.