Congestion feared on main roads
Drivers were today warned of a series of roadworks which could cause delays on some of the county's biggest routes.
Six projects to improve parts of the M1, A46 and A42 in Leicestershire are due to get under way this week and will be completed during the next three months.
The Highways Agency said that where possible work will go on through the night from 9pm to 6am to avoid major disruptions.
However, the agency warned it will have to cut speed limits, close carriageways and set up diversions as a part of the £1 million planned improvements.
On the M1, resurfacing and line-painting will be carried out at the Catthorpe Interchange, south of Lutterworth, for two weeks.
Similar work will be done between junction 22, at Markfield, and junction 24, at Castle Donington, for up to a month.
Highways Agency project manager Mike Newman said: "Everything possible will be done to limit delays, although people should allow extra time for their journeys.
"The M1 will be returned to three lanes in each direction outside the working hours."
Long stretches of the A46 will also be affected by roadworks, with overnight resurfacing and bridge maintenance carried out between Ratcliffe on the Wreake and the Hobby Horse Roundabout, at Syston, from April 1 tp22, excluding the Easter weekend.
Work will be carried out on the northbound carriageway first, with the road closed in the direction work is being carried out.
Traffic will be diverted from the A46 at Wanlip, along the A6 and A6006, to rejoin the A46 near Old Dalby, and vice-versa.
Drivers have today expressed their concerns as their journeys look set to be delayed.
Marilyn Haywood, 55, commutes into the city from the north of the county every day. She said: "I am not happy as I use the M1 and A46 to commute to my job.
"I would consider using an alternative method of transport, such as the train, but that isn't really an option, as I need my car for my job."
Kelley Fairclough, 38, of Sileby, said: "I use the A46, so I imagine driving will be a nightmare for me."
Other works will include night closure on the A46 between the A606 and A6006, close to Willoughby on the Wolds, for about eight nights between April 24 and May 8.
There will also be work at the junction of the A46 and M1 at junction 21a, near Kirby Muxloe, for resurfacing, with 14 nights of closures at the junction starting in May.
Resurfacing and tree works are also planned on the A42 at Tonge, near Ashby, with diversions on the A453 past East Midlands Airport.
The Highways Agency said it would keep delays to a minimum and works would be carried out when traffic was at its lightest.
A spokesman said: "All the works will be carefully programmed to avoid clashes and minimise disruption."
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by Richard Bettsworth, Leicester Mercury
Wednesday, March 18 2009, 3:09PM
“Re the comment below from the Highways Agency, we should make it clear that work will be carried out overnight on all the road projects, apart from on the A42 at Tonge. For safety reasons on the A46 between Ratcliffe on the Wreake and the Hobby Horse Roundabout there will be a 50mph speed restriction in place during the day when works are being carried out at night.”
by NATALIE, LEICESTER
Wednesday, March 18 2009, 2:23PM
“MOAN, MOAN, MOAN, MOAN, MOAN....I read the Mercury Headlines everyday and read most of the comments made against each story and it is the same people moaning all the while! Get a life, as said by many others on here, you get people moaning about the state of the roads, then when The Highways Agency decide to do something about it (OVERNIGHT) people still moan...Un-bloomin-believable!!!!”
by Bob, Leicester
Wednesday, March 18 2009, 2:06PM
“All you moaners will just have to leave a little earlier to allow for (if there are) any disruptions.”
by Edward, Leicester
Wednesday, March 18 2009, 2:00PM
“Might as well give up now Helpful Highways Agency person - people around these comment pages only want to hear bad news - they ignore everything else.”
by E, On the roads
Wednesday, March 18 2009, 1:48PM
“Of course the scheduling of the works may have something to do with the new works on the A46 south of Nottingham, and the Highways Agency wanting to ensure that potential diversion routes are not going to need maintenance in the next 3 years. But that would mean someone was actually planning this, wouldn't it.”