Overnight closures of the M6 and M1 at Catthorpe Interchange

[dutchman]

Motorists are being warned that sections of the the M6 and M1 at the Catthorpe Interchange in Leicestershire will be closed overnight during November and December.



During the closures, the Highways Agency will continue work to replace the Catthorpe Viaduct, which carries the M6 southbound over the M1, and start maintenance work on the River Avon Viaduct, just south of the junction.

The closures will be as follows:

M6 Closed southbound overnight between the A14 exit slip road and the M1 southbound entry slip road, Mondays to Saturdays, from Monday, 21 November 2011 to Thursday 22 December 2011. The closures are needed to allow the construction of the M6 tie-ins for the new Catthorpe Viaduct and the replacement of joints on the River Avon Viaduct.

M1 Closed northbound overnight between the M6 northbound exit slip road and the J19 entry slip road, and closed southbound overnight between the A14 exit slip road and the M6 entry slip road, from Monday 19 December 2011 to Thursday 22 December 2011. The closures are needed to remove the high containment barrier from the existing Catthorpe Viaduct in advance of its demolition in January 2012 and for the replacement of joints on the River Avon Viaduct.

Hours of closure will be:

Mondays to Thursdays: 9pm to 6am;

Fridays: 10pm to 8am; and

Saturdays: 8pm to 8am.

There will be no closures on Sunday nights.

When the motorways are closed, strategic diversion routes will be in place. These will be clearly signposted and road users are advised to follow these routes and allow extra time for their journeys.

Highways Agency project manager, Ivan Marriott said: “Work on the viaduct replacement is progressing well and these closures will allow us to surface the sections of road where the M6 joins the Catthorpe junction and to undertake some preparatory work for the demolition of the existing structure. In order to minimise inconvenience for road users, the Highways Agency will also be carrying out maintenance work on the River Avon viaduct. Carrying out both sets of work together minimises the number of closures needed for each scheme.”

The scheme to replace the Catthorpe Viaduct started in July 2010, and is due to be complete by spring 2012.

Motorists can keep up to date and register for updates on the scheme website at http://www.highways.gov.uk/roads/projects/28223.aspx. Up to date travel information can also be accessed by calling the Highways Agency Information Line on 0300 123 5000, or by following @HAtraffic_emids on Twitter.