Latest news with #SimonAmor
BBC News
23-07-2025
- Automotive
- BBC News
Orwell Bridge in Ipswich reopens after weeks of delays
Construction work on a bridge has been completed about two weeks ahead of schedule. National Highways had been replacing the expansion joints of the bridge on the A14 in Ipswich, Suffolk, since eastbound carriageway reopened on Wednesday and a 40mph speed limit was put in place for safety Amor, from National Highways, said: "I would like to thank local residents, the community, businesses and drivers for their patience while we did this work." Work had caused severe delays and congestion for some drivers who used the also led to frustrations for businesses in the area, with concerns about the effect it would have on inward investment. The westbound carriageway reopened on Monday with the road then fully reopened on work is still expected for about a week to replace a safety barrier and for other maintenance Amor added: "All has gone to plan and we worked around the clock to get things done on time."We have a 40pmh speed limit in place for safety reasons as the central reserve safety barrier is incomplete at this time."National Highways said it would review feedback following the roadworks ahead of the replacement of the eastbound joints. Follow Suffolk news on BBC Sounds, Facebook, Instagram and X.
BBC News
19-07-2025
- Automotive
- BBC News
A1 overnight closures at Water Newton for southbound repairs
Part of the A1 will be closed overnight so preparation can begin to repair a carriageway and culvert damaged in a fatal accident last year. The southbound carriageway will be fully closed from the A47 to the Alwalton junction from 21:00 BST to 05:00 on Saturday and Sunday. Diversions will be put in place. Lane one of the carriageway over Billing Brook at Water Newton, near Peterborough, has been closed since Daniel Casariu, from Luton, died at the scene on 1 November."The damaged culvert is over 100 years old, so carrying out permanent repairs continues to be a complex challenge," said Simon Amor, from National Highways. "Our thoughts continue to go out to the family and friends of Daniel Casariu, who tragically passed away following the collision." The outside lane of the northbound carriageway will also be closed during the overnight Highways planned to do preparation work to realign the southbound carriageway and hoped the road would be fully reopened over the coming months. The project was considered complex due to a large water main near the road and the brook, which ran into a Site of Special Scientific Interest. It was also close to the remains of a Roman Amor, the agency's head of delivery, said: "We understand the impact the lane closure is having on motorists and nearby communities. "We thank everyone for their continued patience while this challenging work is undertaken." Follow Cambridgeshire news on BBC Sounds, Facebook, Instagram and X.
BBC News
08-07-2025
- Automotive
- BBC News
A421 in Bedfordshire floods again months after being submerged
A major road that was closed for almost three weeks after being submerged by water has flooded once Highways said surface water built up on the A421, in Bedfordshire, at 06:00 BST on Monday due to a mechanical issue with a generator powering temporary pumps at the closed a single lane on the east and westbound carriageways until the issue was identified and fixed at 15: came after a month's worth of rain fell in less than 48 hours in September and the A421 was closed at the Marston Moretaine interchange. Following the flooding in September National Highways cleared 72 million litres of water, equivalent to about 30 Olympic-sized swimming pools, and the road fully reopened in to relocate the pumping station at the Marston Moretaine interchange to higher ground began in Amor, from the organisation, said the work would help prevent further emergency closures on the road, which connects the A1 and M1, south of its website, National Highways said that work to replace the pumping station was progressing well and the final phase was underway this month. Speaking about the incident on Monday, a National Highways spokesperson said: "The issue has since been resolved and we thank drivers in the area for their patience while we have worked to clear the water."They added it was committed to minimising weather-related disruption at Marston Moretaine. Follow Beds, Herts and Bucks news on BBC Sounds, Facebook, Instagram and X.
BBC News
23-06-2025
- Automotive
- BBC News
Delays reported as A14 lanes close for Orwell Bridge repairs
Motorists using the Orwell Bridge are suffering severe delays following the start of major roadworks.A lane has been closed on the bridgem which carries the A14 over the river at Ipswich, while joints are Highways said delays of up to 52 minutes were occurring between junctions 51 (A140/Needham Market) and 57 (Nacton/east Ipswich).The agency added that the average speed of traffic since 05:31 BST was 10mph (16km/h). A routine inspection in 2024 discovered a "potentially unsafe" joint in the works, which had been scheduled for 2027, were brought on the westbound carriageway are being replaced this year, and similar work will have to take place on the eastbound side within the next five years, according to National lane closures were implemented on both carriageways from16 June.A reduced speed limit was introduced on both sides of the bridge on Saturday, and a lane closure during the daytime was brought in on the eastbound carriageway on Amor, head of scheme delivery for National Highways in the East, said the work was "very complicated", but he was confident it would be finished in August. The AA has been reporting delays of 52 minutes since 05:30 on Monday and the motoring organisation believed the delays would disruption is likely to get worse from Wednesday evening with the westbound carriageway being closed from 20:00 and a contraflow will be in operation 24 hours a westbound entry slip road at junction 57 will be closed from Thursday for the duration of the work, with traffic following a diversion to junction 58 (A12/Martlesham).National Highways has been contacted for further response by the BBC. Follow Suffolk news on BBC Sounds, Facebook, Instagram and X.
BBC News
16-06-2025
- Automotive
- BBC News
Orwell Bridge joint expansion repairs to begin for seven weeks
Essential work on a major bridge will begin for the next seven highways is replacing two expansion joints of Orwell Bridge, on the A14 near Ipswich, starting from Monday night until work is expected to cost £6m and once replaced the joints will last for 50 lane and road closures are set for the upcoming weeks as well as diversions that drivers may need to know about. What works are planned? Simon Amor, head of scheme delivery for National Highways in the East, previously explained the bridge had four expansion joints in total - two on each westbound carriageway joints will be replaced this year during the work and it is expected joints on the eastbound side will need replacing within the next five Amor said the work was "very complicated", but he was confident they would be finished in August. What closures are in place? Here is a detailed look at the closures and other disruption that can be expected, according to National Highways:From Monday, there will be overnight lane closures in both directions between 20:00 and 06:00 BST the following morningFrom 20 June to 24 June, including weekends, the eastbound carriageway will then be closed overnight for the same hours. The westbound carriageway will remain open, but reduced to one lane overnightFrom the morning of 21 June, a reduced speed limit with apply in both 23 June, the eastbound carriageway will be reduced to one lane during the daytime, but the westbound will be unaffectedFrom 25 June, the westbound carriageway will be closed from 20:00 and remain closedFrom 26 June to August there will be a contraflow system in place with one lane open in each direction, 24/ well as this, National Highways said from 26 June the westbound entry slip road at junction 57 for the Nacton Interchange would be closed for the duration of the works."Our aim is to reduce congestion caused by joining traffic merging onto the A14 as all traffic approaches the contraflow," it added on its website. "If you want to join the A14 westbound, you'll be diverted east to join the A14 westbound at junction 58 (Seven Hills Interchange)." What are the diversions? National Highways said the bridge would be open for traffic during "much" of the repair added the A14 was still the best route to take and encouraged drivers not to divert onto local roads near it did warn to allow for more time when making the A14 is closed overnight, diversions will be in will be a clearly signed route between junction 58 and 55 via the A12 and A1214. I can't see any workers, so why are there closures? Mr Amor said staff would be working "around the clock" to ensure minimal disruption for stressed that the work was not always visible and sometime workers would be carrying out repairs underneath the road Highways added that sometimes workers would be waiting for construction materials to dry or set before continuing with the work. Follow Suffolk news on BBC Sounds, Facebook, Instagram and X.
