Major roundabout to close for three weeks

MOTORISTS across Leicestershire will face chaos when a major roundabout is shut for three weeks as part of a multi-million pound project.

Engineers will be working overnight to complete the £7 million project at the busy Flagstaff roundabout on the A42 near Ashby.

The work - which is in a bid to reduce traffic jams - begins on Monday July 10 for three weeks and workmen will be on site from 8pm to 6am each night.

Leicestershire County Council highways engineers say the closure is needed so that the resur- facing work can be carried out across the whole roundabout.

It will see all entrance and exit points to the A42 and the A512 at junction 13 Flagstaff roundabout shut.

A route across the roundabout will be kept open for motorists travelling towards Ashby and Coalville on the A511 and the A42 north and southbound carriageways will be open as normal, while there will be diversion routes in place for motorists affected by the closures.

The council is also warning HGV drivers not to attempt to travel through Ashby via junction 12 of the A42, due to there being a low bridge on Tamworth Road, and it is anticipated that there could be delays for motorists looking to access Lountside.

Assistant director for highways and transport Ann Carruthers, said: “We apologise for any inconvenience caused to motorists due to the roadworks. We are working hard to reduce the disruption to people using these busy routes while we are constructing this improvement scheme.”

The A42 northbound exit slip will be also be closed on Sunday nights through to Thursday nights each week between 8pm and 6am throughout June and July.

This will include three weekends where the slip road will be closed throughout the day and night.

The dates for the full weekend closures of the slip road will be confirmed in advance using road signs, the county council webpage and Twitter.

The development programme is running to plan and it is expected that the road works will be finished in August.

More information about the scheme can be found by visiting the county council website.