Everything you need to know ahead of HS2's three-week closure of the A46
Motorists are set to face significant disruption from next weekend as the A46 closes for three weeks for HS2 works.
The closure - from the Stivichall Interchange (Coventry) to the Thickthorn Island (A452 for Leamington and Kenilworth) - will last nearly three weeks, and will see the road surface removed, a new bridge slid into place and the road reconnected.
The dual carriageway will shut from 8pm on Friday 11 April until 6am Thursday 1 May 2025.
HS2 will hold a "contingency" window for the works "in case of an unforeseen event".
What will actually happen during the works?
The road will shut near Kenilworth for 19 days to allow HS2 install a new bridge to allow the rail line to pass under the road.
The process will start with the existing road surface being removed and the embankment underneath being cleared.
The bridge - which has been built alongside the A46 over the past few months - will then be slid into place.
Once the bridge is installed, contractors will complete drainage works and build a new road surface.
The road will then be resurface and HS2 will "assess and inspect" the new bridge and highway surfacing before re-opening the bypass.
What other traffic management is there?
Temporary traffic lights will once again be installed in Kenilworth during the works, despite the carnage caused on local roads during the first weekend closure in February.
Lights will be in place at St John's gyratory and the Thickthorn roundabout, as well as the Blacklow roundabout near Leek Wootton.
Additional traffic management will also see Dalehouse Lane only open one-way - towards Kenilworth.
Traffic lights will "only be used if necessary".
Other traffic management will be in place in Stoneleigh.
"During the closure residents in Stoneleigh may experience increased traffic in the area," HS2 said.
"To help mitigate this and to reduce the use of the village as a cut through, additional local closures will be in place.
"Stoneleigh residents should be aware that access into the village from the A46 side, along Birmingham Road will not be possible."
Access between Kenilworth and Leamington for Stoneleigh residents will only be possible via the Stoneleigh Road (B4113), the Chesford Grange junction will be closed to through traffic.
"The restricted access to Stoneleigh is to ensure that residents are protected from displaced traffic and their access in and out of the village is maintained at all times," the statement added.
Ashow residents should be aware that access into and out of the village from the Chesford junction will not be possible.
Residents traveling to Kenilworth or Leamington will only be able to do so via Crewe Lane or along the diversion.
The Chesford Grange junction will be closed to all but emergency vehicles.
"The closure of Ashow Road (B4115) is to ensure that local residents are protected from displaced traffic and the access in and out of the Abbey and village is maintained at all times," HS2 continued.
Afterwards there will be lane closures on the north and southbound carriageways with a speed restriction of 50mph until Thursday 31 July.
What has HS2 said?
"We will be pushing a new box structure to take the HS2 line under the A46 near Kenilworth," an HS2 statement said.
"Once the box is slid into place, we will complete the remaining works; resurface the carriageway, reinstate the white lines and safety barriers ready to reopen the A46.
"While we deliver the works there will be increased construction activity, 24/7 operation, overnight lighting and some additional noise.
"We will minimise the impact on residents as much as possible."
Where are the diversions?
As with the February closures, there will be two diversions in place this April.
The local diversion will take motorists through along the A445 Leamington Road, to reach the A45 in Coventry where they can re-join the A46.
In February, local councillors were worried Kenilworth would become a cut-through for drivers.
However, the HGV diversion is far more significant.
In order to bypass the closure, HGV drivers will be forced to drive along the M40, M42 and M6 to get back onto the A46.
The contingency window in case of a delay is booked for 8pm on Friday 16 May to 6am on Thursday 5 June.
See more here.
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