Maintenance schemes - South West

National Highways recognises the environmental value of trees. We manage our trees through their whole lifecycle, to control safety risk and optimise their environmental value.

We began a programme of Ash Dieback removal in 2022. Although the issue still requires careful monitoring, we have now completed most of our clearance work. Over the coming months we will begin replanting the areas most affected by this work. We will plant just over 3,000 new trees along the A30 in Devon and Cornwall, ahead of bird nesting season. Local species such as Hazel, Crab Apple, Holly, Hawthorn, Honeysuckle, European Spindle, Hornbeam and several others in lesser numbers, will be planted in a variety of sizes. The trees have been carefully chosen to ensure local habitats are encouraged to flourish.

The work will take place on verges with some rolling lane closures in place. To find out more visit https://nationalhighways.co.uk/our-roads/south-west/

Ash dieback is a national issue and more information from the Forestry Commission can be found at https://www.gov.uk/guidance/managing-ash-dieback-in-england.

Tree Council - Ash dieback a tree owners guide

https://treecouncil.org.uk/wp-content/uploads/2020/06/Tree-Council-Ash-dieback-tree-owners-guide-FINAL.pdf

UPDATE: Due to adverse weather, we’re now expecting to complete all works by 20 April 2024.

We began our road repair work to extend the life of the carriageway on 12 February 2024, working under overnight closures of the A30 Longrock Bypass on weeknights only.

Unfortunately, due to adverse weather during this period, we’ve experienced several delays. We’ve now amended our programme of work and we’ll be working overnight between 8pm and 6am on Saturday 6 and Sunday 7 April 2024.

During this time, the eastbound A30 carriageway will be closed between Chy-an-Mor roundabout and Newtown roundabout overnight, with lane closures in place during the daytime.

Weeknight works will continue to be carried out under full overnight closures of the A30 Longrock Bypass between 8pm and 6am, with lane closures during the daytime. Where possible, we’ll complete the noisiest works before 11pm.

Exact closure times will be subject to traffic flows on each night. Fully signed diversion routes will be in place during the closures and can be viewed below, but please allow extra time for your journey.

We’ll make every effort to ensure the impact on the local community and travelling public is kept to a minimum. We always aim to work to the programme, however unforeseen circumstances or adverse weather conditions may mean changes. Please monitor www.trafficengland.com to keep updated.

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

A36 Limpley Stoke - February 2023 update

A38 Glynn Valley will be closed overnight for routine maintenance from 8.30pm in the evening to 6am the following morning:

2024

• 18 to 22 March
• 18 to 22 November

2025

• 17 to 21 March
• 17 to 21 November

Please note these dates may be subject to change.

When overnight closures are in place, please use the following diversion:

Saltash Tunnel will be closed overnight for routine maintenance from 8pm in the evening to 6am the following morning:

2024

• January 9, 10 and 11
• April 9, 10 and 11
• July 9, 10 and 11
• October 8, 9 and 10

2025

• January 7, 8 and 9
• April 8, 9 and 10
• July 8, 9 and 10
• October 7, 8 and 9

Please note these dates may be subject to change.

UPDATE: April 2024

• Due to unforeseen circumstances which have led to changes in our programme of work, we're now expecting to complete these works in May rather than March, as originally published.

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As part of our commitment to safety and air quality, we will shortly begin works to permanently reduce the speed limit between Saltash Tunnel and Carkeel roundabout, from 70mph to 50mph. Average speed cameras will be installed to enforce the 30 mph through the tunnel and we’ll also install average speed cameras on the diversion route through Saltash (the B3271, North Road).

This stretch of the A38 is prone to a high number of shunts and near misses as motorists try to reduce speed on the approach to the tunnel or roundabout. Reducing the speed limit will improve safety and alleviate the need for heavy braking, which in turn should improve air quality.

This is part of a larger package of work affecting Saltash Tunnel, we’ll write with further details nearer the time.

Traffic management

We’ll work overnight Monday to Friday when traffic flows are lowest. Work will take place from 8pm in the evening to 6am the following morning.

• 18 to 30 September – overnight closures of Saltash tunnel
• 2 to 24 October – overnight closures of Saltash tunnel and up to Carkeel roundabout
• 25 October to 7 November – overnight 2-way traffic lights will be in place on the B3271/North Road

We always aim to work to the programme, however unforeseen circumstances or adverse weather conditions may mean changes.

Please note: all enquiries should be directed to National Highways, and not to Tamar Bridge which is independently owned and operated by Cornwall Council and Plymouth City Councils.

Temporary traffic lights have been in operation along the A40 near Longhope following a landslide which caused parts of the road to become unstable. We’ll now be carrying out emergency repairs to the carriageway and safety barriers to allow the road to reopen to traffic safely.

When will this work take place?

In order to complete this complex repair we’ll need to fully close the A40 between the A4136 junction at Forest Gate and the B4224 junction at Lea. Closures will be in place 24/7 from 8pm on Sunday 12 April 2024 until 6am on Wednesday 8 May 2024.

What does this mean for you?

We’ll ensure that access for residents, businesses and emergency vehicles will remain throughout the duration of the closure. To minimise disturbance to local residents at night, work will be carried out during the daytime only, between 7:30am and 7:30pm.

A clearly signed diversion route will be in place for HGV and local traffic:

• HGVs will be diverted via the A417 and M50 (closure shown in red below)

• Local traffic will be diverted via the A4136 and B4224 (closure shown in red below)

We apologise in advance for any inconvenience or disruption to those living close to the work and we’ll make every effort to carefully manage noise levels and additional lighting to minimise the impact.   

Please note, our planned work may be subject to change due to weather conditions or unforeseen circumstances.

We’ll be carrying out post tension structure inspections on the M4 junction 17 gyratory at Stanton St Quintin. Surveys will first take place on the underside of the bridges, then switch to the top of the junction.

We’ll start by working overnight when traffic flows are at their lowest, with lane and hard shoulder closures in place on the M4 to allow us to carry out the work safely. During the day the road will be open as usual.

We'll then switch to 24/7 working with lane closures and a reduced speed limit in place during the week. Lanes will be reopened for the weekends. No work will take place over the Easter period and there will be no traffic management in place.

Traffic management
• 4 March to Mid- May 2024, surveys to the underside of the bridges - overnight lane and hard shoulder closures on the M4 at junction 17
• Mid-May to Mid-July 2024, surveys on the top of the junction/gyratory - We’ll switch to 24/7 working with lane closures and a reduced speed limit in place during the week. Lanes will be reopened for the weekends. No work will take place over the Easter period and there will be no traffic management in place.

Please accept our apologies in advance for any inconvenience which may be caused. We’ll make every effort to ensure the impact on the local community and travelling public is kept to a minimum. We always aim to work to the programme, however unforeseen circumstances or adverse weather conditions may mean changes to the above dates.