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

We’re refreshing the road markings and replacing the cat's eyes along the A30 between the M5 and Redruth.

We’ll carry out this work in phases with short section of carriageway closed weeknights.

During the day the road will be open as usual.

Latest closure information

• Wednesday 24 & Friday 26 July: the A30 eastbound will be closed between the Shallowater and Colliford junctions from 8pm to 6am.

• Monday 29 July: the A30 eastbound will be closed between Innis Downs and Carminow from 8pm to 6am.

• Thursday 1 August: the A30 eastbound will be closed between the Tedburn and Pathfinder junctions from 8pm to 6am. At the same time the Fingle and Alphington exits on the eastbound carriageway will be closed.

• Monday 5 to Wednesday 7 August: the A30 eastbound will be closed between the Scorrier interchange and Chiverton Cross Roundabout from 8pm to 6am each night.

• Thursday 8 to Thursday 15 August: the A30 westbound will be closed between Chiverton Cross Roundabout and the Avers Interchange weeknights from 8pm to 6am. The Scorrier Interchange will be open as usual.

• Friday 16 to Tuesday 20 August: the A30 eastbound will be closed between the Avers and Scorrier interchanges weeknights from 8pm to 6am.

• Wednesday 21 August: the Liftondown and Lifton junctions, Stowford exit and entry and the Sourton exit on the eastbound A30 will be closed from 8pm to 6am.

Please follow signed diversions.

We'll then continue to work our way along the A30. We’ll be posting the latest information about where we’re working here.

We’re carrying out surveys and investigations to help identify opportunities to improve safety on the A30 between Kennards House and Fivelanes.

We’ll soon be carrying surveys at the Plusha junction. These will be done overnight between 8pm and 6am, when the traffic levels are lower.

During the day the road will be open as usual.

• Closure information

There will be lane closures on the A30 around the Plusha junction between Monday 22 and Friday 26 July from 8pm to 6am each night. At least one lane will remain open in each direction.

On Tuesday 23 July, we’ll be closing the Plusha junction from 9pm to 6am. You will be able to drive through the junction on the A30, but the slips and crossover will be closed. We’ll reopen the junction by 6am Wednesday 24 July.

A diversion will be in place via the B3254 and B3257. For access to the services during the closure, please use the B3257. 

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

We’ll soon be carrying out repairs and maintenance to the bridge that carries the A30 over the B3212. This includes repairs to the bridge, replacing expansion joints, resurfacing and waterproofing. This work is critical to maintaining and improving safety.

The B3212 Longdown Road (Bakers Hill) will be closed overnight between Tedburn Road and Westwood Lane from Monday 22 July to Sunday 4 August, 7pm to 6am each night. A diversion will be in place via Ide Lane, A30, A38, B3193 and B3212.

Access will be maintained to properties on both sides of the bridge. No vehicles will be able to pass under the A30 on Longdown Road during the closures, so please make sure you plan your route.

We’ll soon be carrying out maintenance on the A303 Ilminster Bypass. This includes repairs and surveys of the road surface, vegetation clearance, and barrier repairs.

The A303 Ilminster Bypass will be fully closed from Monday 29 July to Thursday 1 August from 8pm to 6am each night.

A diversion will be in place for eastbound traffic via the A358, A378 and A372. For taller vehicles, please follow the A358, A38, A361 and A372. There will be temporary traffic lights at the junction of the A361 and A372 at Othery to help the flow of traffic. If you’re heading westbound, please follow the same routes in reverse.

Where possible, noisy work will be completed in the early evening so that overnight noise is kept to a minimum.

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

We’ll soon be carrying out resurfacing and improvements on the A303 near Stonehenge and Amesbury.

This will maintain safety and improve the journey for road users, while preventing the need for unplanned closures.

• Closure information (dates are inclusive)

Monday 29 July to Wednesday 7 August (exl. Sunday 4 August): the A303 will be closed between the Countess (A345) and Longbarrow (A360) Roundabouts from 8pm to 6am each night

Saturday 10 & Saturday 17 August: the A303 will be closed between the Countess (A345) and Longbarrow (A360) Roundabouts from on 8pm and 6am each night

Diversion via A360, A3086, The Packway and A345.

Thursday 8 to Wednesday 14 August: the A303 will be closed between the Amesbury junction and Countess Roundabout weeknights from 8pm to 6am each night.

Diversion via the A345, Portway and A338.

Thursday 15, Friday 16 & Monday 19 August: the A303 Solstice eastbound slips will be closed between 8pm and 6am. For traffic wanting to join eastbound, diversion is via Porton Road, Solstice Park, Solstice Park Avenue, joining the A303 westbound to the Countess Roundabout, where you can get on to the A303 eastbound.

To leave the A303, stay on main carriageway to A338 Parkhouse, where you can join westbound and return.

Tuesday 20, Wednesday 21 & Thursday 22 August: the A303 Solstice westbound slips and main carriageway will be closed between 8pm and 6am. For westbound traffic, diversion via A338, A36 and A345. To join the A303, follow London Road to the Countess Roundabout.

Please note: the A303 will be fully closed between the Longbarrow Roundabout and Deptford Interchange from 9pm to 5am on Tuesday 27, Wednesday 28 and Thursday 29 August.

We’ll be resurfacing the A303 Countess Roundabout from Monday 2 September – we’ll provide more information here soon.  

Access will be maintained for properties with direct access off the A303 during the closures – please approach the closure gate.

We’ll soon be carrying out maintenance on the A303 between Longbarrow and Deptford.

This includes repairs and surveys of the road surface, vegetation clearance, and barrier repairs.

Closure information 

The A303 will be fully closed between the Longbarrow Roundabout and Deptford Interchange from 9pm to 5am on Tuesday 27, Wednesday 28 and Thursday 29 August, with work finishing at 5am on Friday 30 August.

A diversion will be in place for eastbound traffic via the A36 south and A360. For taller vehicles, please follow A36 north, the B390 and A360. For westbound traffic, please follow the same routes in reverse.

Access will be maintained for properties with direct access off the A303 during the closures. Where possible, noisy work will be completed in the early evening so that overnight noise is kept to a minimum.

Update 9 July - this work has been postponed. We'll provide more information here once new dates are confirmed. 

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We’ll soon be carrying out maintenance on the A36 Deptford to the Crockerton Roundabout.

This includes repairs and surveys of the road surface, vegetation clearance, and barrier repairs.

• Closure information

The A36 will be fully closed between Deptford Interchange and the Crockerton Roundabout from 9pm to 5am on Monday 15, Tuesday 16 and Wednesday 17 July, with work finishing at 5am on Thursday 18 July.

A diversion will be in place in both directions via the A350 and A303.

Access will be maintained for properties with direct access off the A36 during the closures. Where possible, noisy work will be completed in the early evening so that overnight noise is kept to a minimum.

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

We’ll soon be carrying out maintenance on the A36 Deptford to Wilton. This includes repairs and surveys of the road surface, vegetation clearance, and barrier repairs.

The A36 will be fully closed between the Deptford Interchange (A303) and Wilton Roundabout (A30) from Monday 12 to Friday 16 August (inclusive), 9pm to 5am each night.

Diversion via the A303 and A360.

Access will be maintained for properties with direct access off the A36 during the closures – please approach the closure gate.

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.

Following cracking in the southbound section of the footpath running between Limpley Stoke and Monkton Coombe, we’ll be carrying out carriageway repairs and stabilisation work between August 2024 and spring 2025. The extent of the cracking lies within the Bath, Somerset and Wiltshire boundaries. 

Please visit our dedicated webpage for more information.

Previous updates:

A36 Limpley Stoke - March 2022 update

A36 Limpley Stoke - February 2023 update

Update 25 June - the planned surveys were partially completed on Sunday 23 June. However, due to unforeseen circumstances at the survey location will need to return at a later date to complete the survey. Once confirmed, we’ll provide more information here and contact local residents.

We’ll not be using our contingency shift on Sunday 30 June for this work.

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We’ll soon be carrying out routine inspections and surveys of the cliff faces along the A38 Glynn Valley.

We normally complete this type of work overnight, however on this occasion we have to complete the surveys in daylight. As the road will be need to be closed to keep everyone safe, we’ll be doing the work in June when the days are longer. We’ll start at 4am and get the road reopened as soon as possible, by 10am at the latest.

• Closure information

Sunday 23 June, 4am to 10am: the A38 will be closed between Turfdown Cross and Twelvewoods roundabout (at the junction with the A390 at Dobwalls). 

If we are unable to complete our work on the date above, we’ll also have the road closed on Sunday 30 June from 4am to 10am. We’ll post more details here. 

Access will be maintained for residents. 

We’re carrying out resurfacing and improvements on the westbound A38 Liskeard Bypass.

• Closure information

We need an extra shift to complete our work. The A38 Liskeard Bypass westbound will be closed between the A390 junction and B3254 junction (Moorswater) on Wednesday 7 August between 9pm and 6am.

A diversion will be in place via the A390 and B3254.

Access will be maintained for properties with direct access from the A38 westbound within the closure – please approach the closure gate.

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

We’ll soon be carrying out resurfacing and improvements on the A38 between the Drybridge and Marley Head junctions.

This will maintain safety and improve the journey for road users, while preventing the need for unplanned closures.

Closure information

The A38 will be closed weeknights between Dartbridge and Marley Head from Monday 29 to Thursday 1 August, 8pm to 6am each night.

A diversion will be in place via the A384 and A385 through Dartington.

The A38 will then be closed weeknights between Marley Head and the South Brent junction from Friday 2 to Thursday 15 August, weeknights 8pm to 6am. The slip road will also be closed at the Marley Estate / A385 junction overnight (8pm to 6am) on Friday 2 August.

A diversion will be in place via the B3372 through South Brent.

Please plan ahead and allow extra time for your journeys.

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

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.

We’re carrying out resurfacing and repairs an the M4 Prince of Wales Bridge. 

Please visit our dedicated webpage for more information.

We’ll soon be installing a new safety barrier on the section of the M4 near to Bromley Heath.

We’ll carry out this work overnight, when there are fewer vehicles on the road, from Monday 15 July to Thursday 15 August.

During this time, there will be lane and hard shoulder closures on the M4 between junctions 17 and 19 Sunday to Thursdays, 8.30pm to 4.30am. A least one lane will remain open.

Where possible, noisy work will be completed in the early evening so that overnight noise is kept to a minimum.

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

We’ll soon be carrying out resurfacing and improvements on the M5 between junction 13 (Stroudwater Interchange) and junction 15 (M4 / Almondsbury Interchange).

This will maintain safety and improve the journey for road users, while preventing the need for unplanned closures.

• Closure information - updated on 9 July

Friday 12 July: there will be lane closures on the southbound M5 just past junction 14 between 8pm and 6am. At least one lane will remain open for traffic.

Monday 29 July: the main carriageway will be closed southbound on the M5 at junction 14 between 8pm and 6am. Traffic will be diverted up and over using the slips.

We’re carrying out surveys and investigations on the M5 around St Georges Bridge, located near junction 21 for Weston-super-Mare, to help plan for future bridge repairs and safety improvements.

To keep everyone safe, we’re using a mixture of overnight lane and slip road closures.

• Closure information

There will be regular overnight lane closures on both sides of the M5 around junction 21 and St Georges Bridge, Sunday to Thursday only, until the end of June. One lane will remain open for traffic.

You may also notice some temporary cones on the hard shoulder during the day.

We’re planning to start our improvements later this year, and we’ll provide more information closer the time.