The Paula Radcliffe Way works have continued to progress well. There were some traffic issues following the closure of the northbound dual carriageway after the August Bank Holiday weekend and we have worked hard with the contractor to reduce the impact of the road works. By and large there have been significant improvements but we are aware of regular delays at Sainsbury’s which we are investigating with our traffic signals team. It is still advised that the area is avoided if possible until the works are completed.
Please be assured that work continues apace at the site, with operations being carried out 24 hours per day to ensure that everything is completed by the end of October.
Work carried out includes:
Road resurfacing
The scope of work involves replacement of 100mm of the existing road and slip roads, totalling around 100,000 sq.m, laid in two layers with new road markings and studs.
As the road had settled in many places additional material has been laid to smooth out the existing bumps in the road.
Local areas of deeper failures in the road have been dug out and treated.
Bridge Works
The bridge expansion joints are being replaced due to some ongoing drainage problems.
The protective waterproofing layer near the expansion joints is also being replaced. This is a fiddly job as it is important that the existing bridge deck is not damaged.
Drainage Works
Extensive work is being carried out to ensure that the existing drainage systems are cleared of silt and debris. The majority of the system was blocked which was leading to some ongoing drainage problems.
Where the road levels have changed or there has been damage the combined kerb/drainage units have been replaced.
Street Lighting
Electrical and structural testing of the street lighting columns has been completed.
Columns and/or lanterns have been replaced by our Highways colleagues and other contractors.
Laybys, kerbs and barriers
Extensive work has been carried out to the two laybys which were in a very poor condition.
This has involved re-kerbing the laybys, introducing high containment kerbs and bollards to discourage parking on the verges, and replacement of the road surface.
Much of the existing asphalt kerbs are being replaced.
Extensive repairs and replacement of sections of the existing road crash barrier are planned.
Vegetation Clearance and Litter Picking
Vegetation clearance has been carried out adjacent to the road where needed to ensure that forward visibility meets requirements.
Further extensive vegetation clearance has been carried out offline from the road to clear the surface ditches and balancing ponds to ensure that the drainage system runs efficiently.
Litter has been removed throughout, with over 50 tonnes of waste removed from the site to date.
The rest of the programme is forecast to be as follows:
The northbound road closure works are to continue until the end of September.
From 02nd October until 19th October the road will be closed in both directions overnight only between the Oakley junction and Milton Ernest to complete the resurfacing works.
From 02nd October the southbound carriageway will also be closed during the day while we finish works to the bridges which have been slightly delayed due to the unexpected discovery of some nesting bats.
Currently we are forecasting that all works will be completed on 24th October, subject to favourable weather and no further unexpected issues