Early warning of works to bridge

LONG DIVERSION DUE TO CLOSURE

DRIVERS are being warned that diversions will be in place for up to four weekends in a row to allow a motorway bridge in Leicestershire to be waterproofed.

Motorists are being given early notice about the work that is going to take place on the north bridge at junction 20 of the M1 at Lutterworth, starting in April.

The work will mean that half of the roundabout will be closed off to traffic.

Drivers wanting to travel along the A4303 from Lutterworth towards Market Harborough on the A4304 face a five-mile diversion due to the closure.

Motorists heading north up the M1 can come off at junction 20 and travel towards Lutterworth on the

A4303 but will also not be able to go on to the A4304 towards Market Harborough.

Highways England are advising those drivers to stay on the motorway until the next exit then turn around and come southwards back to junction 20 for the A4303.

Drivers heading south on the M1 will be unaffected as they will be able to come off at junction 20 and take the A4303 to Lutterworth or the A4304 towards Market Harborough.

The work will begin on Friday, April 16 when the road on the north bridge at junction 20 will be closed from 8pm until 6am on Monday, April 19. The roundabout will be closed between the same hours on up to three consecutive weekends depending on the weather conditions.

A Highways England spokesperson said: “The work will not require any motorway closures and is being carried out over the weekend when we know roads are quieter.

“M1 traffic will be diverted northbound up to junction 21 and back again. There will be a clearly signed diversion route, agreed with the local authority, for traffic intending to travel towards Market Harborough.”

A Leicestershire County Council spokesman said: “A temporary traffic regulation order (TTRO) is to be made for the M1 J20 interchange roundabout with A4303 – A4304, north bridge.

“The purpose is to allow Highways England to undertake bridge deck waterproofing.

“The TTRO will incorporate a temporary road closure.”