£6m investment into safer and better journeys on the A46

A £6m package of improvements will be delivered north of Bath between London Road roundabout junction and the Cold Ashton roundabout over the coming months.

Along with a new road surface, better signage will be installed and drainage upgraded to prevent flooding. New, upgraded chevron signs will also be installed at Hartley Bends to improve road safety.

Sean Walsh, National Highways Route Manager, said: 

“More than 20,000 drivers use this route every day for work, home deliveries and the movement of goods and services, so it’s essential we continue to provide the essential maintenance and upgrades needed to make sure journeys remain safe and reliable.”

Phase one of the works will begin on the 18 January, with National Highways performing ground investigation surveys and installing monitoring equipment at Charmy Downs, to help better plan future improvements.

Later in the year, phases two and three of the package of work will see drainage improvements at Four Winds Farm and resurfacing at Hartley Bends.

To ensure the safety of workers and road users, some road closures will be required while the works take place. They are as follows:

18 January to 20 March - A46 between Cold Ashton roundabout and London Road junction roundabout

Closed in both directions overnight (8pm - 6am) Monday to Friday.

Signed north and southbound diversion by –

• A420 (Marshfield)
  A350
  A4 (Corsham / Box)

National Highways will maintain access to properties on the A46 directly within the closure. Please speak to the site team at the nearest closure point and they’ll escort you through the works.

18 January to 20 March - A46 at Charmy Down

Lane closures on the three-lane section during our works. One lane will be running in each direction with contraflow in place.

National Highways is advising road users to plan ahead and allow extra time for journeys.

Closures can change at short notice due to factors such as severe weather. Road users can check the latest information on National Highways’ daily closures page or find live travel information on the Traffic England site. Similarly, travel alerts give details of live incidents on the network.

The A46 is part of National Highways south western strategic road network - a vital link between Bath and the M4.

It connects the south coast with Bristol, Bath and London, as well as carrying local traffic. 

National Highways’ improvements will make journeys safer, smoother and more reliable. They'll also reduce the need for future unplanned closures. 

To find out more about the package of works on the A46, visit the web page.

Notes to Editors

National Highways is the wholly government-owned company responsible for modernising, maintaining and operating England’s motorways and major A roads.

Real-time traffic information for England’s motorways and major A roads is available via the Traffic England website, local and national radio travel bulletins, electronic road signs and mobile apps. Local Twitter services are also available.

For further information please contact National Highways' press office (24hrs) on 0844 693 1448 and select the most appropriate option:

Option 1: National enquiries (9am to 5.30pm) and out of hours for urgent enquiries
Option 2: North West (9am to 5.30pm)
Option 3: Yorkshire and North East (9am to 5.30pm)
Option 4: West Midlands (9am to 5.30pm)
Option 5: East Midlands (9am to 5.30pm)
Option 6: East (9am to 5.30pm)
Option 7: South East (9am to 5.30pm)
Option 8: South West (9am to 5.30pm)