Lancaster tunnel to close for refurbishment
Motorists in Birmingham are advised that the A34 Lancaster tunnel will be closed for essential refurbishment work from 10pm on Friday 26th April until 6am on Monday 6th May 2013.
The work in the tunnels is an important part of the Birmingham Highways Maintenance and Management Service, run by Amey and Birmingham City Council, which will see the roads across the city brought up to an agreed standard, and then maintained, over the course of the 25-year contract.
The closure will allow for works, including modifications to the existing lighting, upgrading of monitoring and control systems and the introduction of additional safety features, to take place. A number of overnight closures will follow during the week commencing 13th May in order to carry out testing and commissioning.
A diversion for traffic, around Lancaster Circus gyratory, will be fully signed during closure times.
The work on the A34 Lancaster tunnel is being carried out in the lead up to the summer closures of the A38 St Chad's and Queensway tunnels. These 40 year-old tunnels will be completely closed to all traffic from 19th July to 2nd September, preceded by four weeks of overnight closures, from 10pm to 6am, and followed by up to two weeks of similar overnight closures.
Amey, working in partnership with Birmingham City Council, has been liaising with businesses and organisations in the city to prepare for the summer closures, encouraging people who visit Birmingham to consider how they travel during the six week closure period, with train, bus and cycling all being viable alternatives to driving.
John Sunderland, Business Director for Amey, said: “The work that we are carrying out in the tunnels in Birmingham city centre is essential. It will help us to ensure that the city's infrastructure is brought up to modern standards as well as significantly improving the appearance of the network.”
“We understand that closures, particularly those of the St Chads and Queensway tunnels over the summer, will have a major impact on the city and we are working hard to minimise any disruption, however I would encourage people to give their travel plans for the summer for some consideration.”
-ENDS-
Notes to Editors
• In 2010, Amey won the Birmingham Highways Maintenance and Management Service contract to manage and maintain the city's roads over the next 25 years. The contract will see a huge investment into the city's road network and Amey is working in partnership with Birmingham City Council to deliver the contract. The works include refurbishment and improvement of the city's roads, footways, bridges, tunnels, street lighting and traffic control systems.
• Amey is a leading UK public services provider with more than 11,000 staff. The company works across three main markets - transport, social and environmental infrastructure, all supported by our award-winning consultancy services.
• Amey delivers services in the highways, roads, schools, waste, rail, fleet solutions, workspace, street lighting, commercial, housing and aviation sectors. By offering a complete life-cycle solution for services, we maximise efficiencies for our customers.
For more information contact Lara Thorns on 07843368954, email lara.thorns@amey.co.uk or Deborah Yewdall on 07801 988026, email deborah.yewdall@amey.co.uk
