Just a reminder that this only includes works that are due to start between 16^th – 31^st  January and longer term works that are still in progress will have been included on previous reports. Alternatively please refer to https://one.network/ which will include details on emergency roadworks.

Time-saving road marking robot makes it a happy new year for driversJANUARY 2, 2020

A clever little robot is saving drivers on England’s busiest roads from hundreds of hours of disruption.

The quirky machine uses precise positioning technology to mark out where white lines need to be painted on new or resurfaced roads.

The robot has already saved hundreds of hours of working time on various Highways England projects across the country, including Britain’s biggest road upgrade, the £1.5 billion A14 Cambridge to Huntingdon improvement scheme.

It also recently pre-marked eight miles of the M6 in Staffordshire in four hours. This work would usually take two engineers over a week to complete.

Savings elsewhere include saving 27 hours of working time marking three miles of hard shoulder on the M4 in Berkshire, 77 hours covering five miles of the M6 in Warwickshire, and six hours working on two miles of the M1 in Leicestershire, with further work done on the M60 smart motorway at Manchester.

Besides helping drivers, it also has safety benefits for roadworkers and enables them to focus on completing other essential work on each project.

Julian Lamb, construction director on the A14 where the robot has been used, said:

“We’re always looking at innovative new ways of working, which can help road users, and make our projects more efficient while supporting improved engineering. With safety our top priority, the time savings the robot can provide, coupled with removing our operatives from a potentially hazardous situation, make it a great solution.

“We’ve also been working with a self-driving dumper truck on the project, completing trials of these new technologies to help Highways England more deliver its ambitious programme of roads improvement quickly, safely and efficiently. These technologies are also supporting new jobs, with the engineers of tomorrow needing to learn new skills such as programming this autonomous equipment.”

Ordinarily, pre-marking road markings is a time-consuming job, calculating the positioning of the markings and walking several miles to spray or chalk them on the road. By using the robot, road workers spend far less time in the road and are at less risk of an accident – around 250 drivers illegally drive into roadworks every month, putting workers’ lives at risk. Bending down to pre-mark roads by hand can also raise the risk of back injuries. The robot also boasts improved accuracy and can mark the road faster.

The robot has been so successful, specialist contractor WJ, who adopted the technology for it to complete the pre-marking, has now invested in a second one to help complete more of its work. By completing roadworks faster, the robot will help contribute to the goals of reducing congestion, improving journey times, and supporting economic growth, while cost savings can be used to provide more or better-quality road-building materials.

Wayne Johnston, WJ Group Managing Director, said:

“I am passionate about changing the way we work in this industry and the WJ Robotic PreMarker represents a real step change. However, it is just a starting point, we will continue to invest in research and development to find better, more efficient and safer ways of working.”

The 12-mile Huntingdon Southern Bypass, which makes up around two thirds of the A14 upgrade, opened a year early, in December. Work on the rest of the project, between Swavesey and Milton, continues and is on schedule to completed as planned by December 2020.

Just a reminder that this only includes works that are due to start between 1^st – 15^th January and longer term works that are still in progress will have been included on previous reports. Alternatively please refer to https://one.network/ which will include details on emergency roadworks

Welcome to January’s Highway Events Diary which highlights all known events that will have an impact or take place upon the public highway. The diary features events across Cambridgeshire and you are able to sort and filter the diary to show events in your immediate area by using the down arrow in the title bar.

2020 Highlights

18^th January, Whittlesey Straw Bear Procession. The annual festival returns for its 41^st year, with a procession and other attractions to tempt visitors. Although the festival covers the weekend, road closures will be in place all day on the 18^th, so please bear this in mind when planning your journey.

8^th March, Cambridge Half Marathon. The popular running event returns, taking in the scenery of central Cambridge. Please note that the route has changed slightly this year. Road closures will be in place for the event, so please bear this in mind if you are planning on visiting Cambridge. *Please remember details of all highway events can be found on https://www.cambridgeshire.gov.uk/residents/travel-roads-and-parking/roads-and-pathways/highway-events/

Please find attached the roadworks bulletin, detailing works and events that are due to start between 16^th – 31^st  December 2019.

Just a reminder that this only includes works that are due to start between 16^th – 31^st  December and longer term works that are still in progress will have been included on previous reports. Alternatively please refer to https://one.network/ which will include details on emergency roadworks.

Please be aware some of the road numbers, junction numbers and descriptions of diversion routes have changed since the new Huntingdon Southern Bypass opened on Monday.

Our last night closure will be Thursday 19^th December 2019 and works will recommence on Thursday 2^nd January 2020.

Please be aware some of the road numbers, junction numbers and descriptions of diversion routes have been updated ready for the new Huntingdon Southern Bypass opening on Monday.

Huntingdon Southern Bypass opens on Monday 9 December, we will close the old A14 between Godmanchester and Spittals in both directions.

This is to allow us to start work on the removal of Huntingdon viaduct and to build new link roads in Huntingdon town centre.

During the closure, which will last until 2022, road users who would normally have used this section of road to access or leave Huntingdon will need to travel as follows instead (please see attached map for details):

• To travel from Huntingdon towards Cambridge: Use the A141 (old A14) westbound to Spittals roundabout and continue to Brampton Hut. Access the A1 southbound then use the new A14 eastbound free flow link at Brampton interchange. Traffic wishing to access towns and villages along the A1307 (old A14) between Godmanchester and Swavesey can do so by exiting the new A14 at its A1198, Ermine Street junction (J23).

• To travel from Cambridge towards Huntingdon: Travel westbound on the new A14 to Brampton Interchange. Use the free flow link to access the A1 northbound. Exit at Brampton Hut and travel east on the A141 (old A14) to Spittals roundabout and onwards to enter Huntingdon.

All roads into and out of Huntingdon will remain open, although there will be a requirement for some overnight closures to allow us to carry out work safely.

Once work is completed in 2022, the road between Spittals and Godmanchester will reopen with links into and out of Huntingdon instead of over the train station via a viaduct as it is currently. For more information about the work we are doing in Huntingdon, visit https://highwaysengland.co.uk/a14-cambridge-to-huntingdon-improvement-scheme-huntingdon/.

You can sign up for the latest information about the A14 Cambridge to Huntingdon improvement scheme on our website at https://highwaysengland.co.uk/a14-cambridge-to-huntingdon-improvement-scheme-home, or by following @A14C2H on Twitter at http://twitter.com/A14C2H and liking the scheme Facebook page at www.facebook.com/A14C2H/.