A11 concrete surface repairs and maintenance

We'll be replacing the concrete road surface on the A11 carriageway between Spooner Row and Wymondham in both directions, as well as other repairs and maintenance during 2021. The work will include replacement of the concrete surface on the main carriageway, installing new drains, replacing safety barriers, repainting road markings, and inserting new reflective road studs (cat’s eyes).

Start date September 2021

End date March 2022

Cost TBC

The East region has the highest concentration of concrete roads on our road network, including the A14, A12, A120 and M11.

Around half of the old-style concrete roads will either have repairs or will be replaced during next five years.

We’ll be using innovative techniques and new technology to provide a modern road that will last for decades to come, and which is easier and quicker for us to repair in future.

Why we need this scheme

The surface of concrete roads that were designed between the 1950s and 1970s have an average life span of 50 years. Their surfaces are now reaching the stage where they will need to be repaired or replaced for safety reasons, and to help them be less noisy and better to drive on.

Benefits

Our road replacements will provide safer and better road surfaces, improving safety and driving conditions for motorists on the A11. Replacing the old surfaces with a new, modern road surface will extend the life of the road by up to 40 years and will be easier and quicker for us to repair in future.

Project information

Towards the end of this year and during 2022, we will be repairing and reconstructing the A11 carriageway between Spooner Row and the Thickthorn Interchange to replace the concrete road with a flexible asphalt lower-noise road surface.

As preparation for this work, from Monday 10 May 2021 we will be carrying out ground investigation, carriageway, pavement and drainage surveys for two weeks on the A11 between Spooner Row and Thickthorn Interchange. To minimise the impact on local communities and motorists, the survey work will be done overnight between 8pm and 6am. We will only divert traffic from the A11 onto local roads where absolutely necessary.

Road closures

To do the surveys, we’ll need to put the following closures in place:

Full closure of the A11 northbound between Spooner Row to Thickthorn Interchange and a lane closure on the A11 southbound between Thickthorn Interchange to Spooner Row from Monday 10 May to Tuesday 18 May between 8pm and 6am on weeknights only.
Full closure of the A11 southbound entry slip at Spooner Row and a lane closure on the A11 southbound between Thickthorn Interchange and Spooner Row on Friday 14 May between 8pm and 6am.
Full closure of the A11 southbound between Thickthorn Interchange and Spooner Row from Wednesday 19 May to Friday 27 May between 8pm and 6am on weeknights only.
Full closure of the A11 northbound exit slip road at B1135 Wymondham on Wednesday 19 May between 8pm and 6am.

Take a look at the diversion maps below.

A11 northbound exit diversion

To continue along the A11 northbound, exit at Spooner Row and take the diversion via B1172 through Wymondham, B1135, B1172 through Hethersett and re-join the A11 at Thickthorn Interchange. We expect this diversion to add approximately 10 to 15 minutes to the usual journey.

A11 southbound entry diversion

To join the A11 southbound from Spooner Row take the diversion via B1172, Station Road, Ayton Road, Bromwick Road and join the A11 southbound at the Wymondham Bypass junction. We expect this diversion to add approximately 15 to 20 minutes to the usual journey.

A11 southbound large diversion

To continue along the A11 southbound, exit at Thickthorn Interchange and take the diversion via B1172 through Hethersett, B1135, B1172 through Wymondham and re-join the A11 at Spooner Row. We expect this diversion to add approximately 10 to 15 minutes to the usual journey.

A11 northbound large diversion

To exit the A11 northbound, continue along the A11 northbound, exit onto the B1172, follow through Hethersett and then take the B1135 into Wymondham. We expect this diversion to add approximately 15 to 20 minutes to the usual journey.