When is the next A12 closure? This weekend, road bosses say

The most recent timetable of roadworks set out by National Highways scheduled a closure of the A12 from 8pm last Friday until 6am Monday, and although a second weekend of closures was planned this month, National Highways said they were unable to set an exact date.

That date has now been confirmed for this weekend when all southbound A12 traffic will be diverted along the usual route along London Road through Copford from 6am on Saturday until 8pm on Sunday.

Ongoing – the roadworks started in October 2022 (Image: Newsquest)

The northbound side of the A12 will be open as normal and additional traffic signals will be in place at both Prince of Wales roundabout and Stane Retail Park in an attempt to ease the expected congestion.

The closure will spell more frustration for commuters who endured lengthy delays as recently as last Friday when parts of the A12 were closed prematurely due to an oil spill from a tractor.

Police also had to intervene on the A12 slip road from Cymbeline Way to allow for highway vehicles to clear the remains of the fuel.

The reconstruction project is now approaching the two-year mark after the works started in October 2022.

Since then, the cost and timescale of the scheme have overrun significantly, with the overall cost hitting £44million, up from an original estimate of £33million.

The works were also due to finish by spring but will not be completed until at least September, with a National Highways spokesman saying in March bad weather was to blame.

A document published by National Highways has also addressed concerns voiced by commuters who have grown frustrated about not seeing roadworkers on-site during the date.

Overbudget – the project is now £11million more expensive than originally planned (Image: Daniel Rees, Newsquest)

A section of the most recent A12 bulletin read: “Our aim has been to plan this work to reduce these impacts as much as possible, and with the least possible disruption.

“With this in mind, we will be working overnight whilst the road is closed, as this is when traffic levels are lighter.

“So, if you don’t see us working on the road during the day, this is why.”

What National Highways said...

A spokesman for National Highways said the project will be completed in summer, which they said is still within the summer season.

He said: “The estimated end completion in all our current communications is summer 2024.

“Whilst we provided an estimated completion date which was August Bank holiday in the past, due to incidents and other construction factors, the A12 Marks Tey scheme will now be completed in September, which is still within the summer season.”

“We apologise for the delays, and we thank local community for their patience."

The latest up-to-date information can be found on the National Highways website.