Chowns Mill work continues as Highways England takes advantage of less traffic

Work is still ongoing on the £24 million project to improve the A45/A6 Chowns Mill roundabout.

With many people following government advice to stay at home and not make unnecessary journeys, Highways England is taking advantage of less traffic on the roads to continue its improvements at the Chowns Mill junction.

The scheme to re-design the busy roundabout where the A45 meets the A6 started in February and is set to take 22 months to complete.

A letter updating stakeholders on the ongoing work says: "We continue to take advantage of the lower traffic numbers by using 24/7 lane closures (single lane running) at the A45/A6 Chowns Mill junction, in all directions.

"This arrangement has been extended to 16 May but will be continually reviewed by monitoring traffic flows and government announcements.

"Highways England's priority at the moment is to play its part in keeping the country safe and supporting the movement of essential supplies, services and people who cannot work from home.

"We are following the government's policy, which is that construction activity should continue where it can be done safely.

"All our sites have strict safeguarding measures, in line with Public Health England guidance, to prevent the spread of Covid-19 and none of our sites are open to the public."

The letter said that in addition to the 24/7 lane closures, a number of planned night-time closures will be taking place.

The north half of the A45 Chowns Mill roundabout will be closed on Saturday, May 9, from 8pm until 6am the following day.

This means the A45 eastbound from Rushden Lakes to Stanwick will be closed, as well as the A6 North between Chowns Mill and Irthlingborough (Nene Park) which will be closed in both directions.

However, the A45 westbound and A6 southbound will be passable through Chowns Mill.

The south half of the A45 Chowns Mill roundabout will be closed on Sunday, May 10, from 8pm until 6am the following day.

It means the A45 westbound from Stanwick to Rushden Lakes will be closed, as well as the A6 South from Chowns Mill to Rushden (Kimbolton Road roundabout) closed in both directions.

However, the A45 eastbound and A6 northbound will remain passable through Chowns Mill.

Signed diversion routes will be in place during any closures, although any planned closures may be subject to change due to weather conditions or unforeseen circumstances.

The Chowns Mill improvement works are due to be completed by winter 2021/22.

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