HS2's three-week closure of the A46 this April is the quickest option available, the high speed rail developer has said.

Motorists and residents are getting ready for major disruption as when the dual carriageway shuts from 8pm on Friday 11 April until 6am on Thursday 1 May 2025 to allow for a 14,500 tonne bridge to be slid into place.

The 19-day closure will see a section of the road near Stoneleigh Junction removed, the bridge moved into place, and then the road rebuilt over it.

Designed to allow the new rail line to pass under the A46, the new bridge has been built next to the carriageway - with HS2 recently revealing images of it being constructed.

And while HS2 has apologised for the inconvenience, it said its plan to build the bridge next to the road and slide it into place has vastly reduced the amount of disruption.

The bridge being built next to the A46 in South Warwickshire will be slid into place this April (image via HS2)

A spokesperson for HS2 Ltd said: "We recognise that the construction of the A46 bridge will have a major impact on drivers and we have planned the work to keep road closures to a minimum. 

"By building the structure to one side and sliding it across during a solid three-week closure, we can avoid two years' worth of lane closures and speed restrictions – and get traffic moving again as soon as possible."

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The A46 will be closed from the Stivichall Interchange (Coventry) to the Thickthorn Island (A452 for Leamington and Kenilworth).

The extent of the A46 closure and the HGV diversion this April (image via HS2)

The road has already been closed over two weekends this year, with the first of the two causing significant traffic problems in Kenilworth.

After the full closure there will be lane closures on the north and southbound carriageways with a speed restriction of 50mph until Thursday 31 July.

A fully signposted diversion for HGVs and a local diversion will be in place as well as "special access arrangements" for the villages of Stoneleigh and Ashow.

The contingency window in case of a delay is booked for 8pm on Friday 16 May to 6am on Thursday 5 June.