Work restarts on A1 junction improvements after coronavirus halted construction

Work on a busy junction which links up with the A1 has restarted as a council begins to reinstate some projects and services.
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Durham County Council has resumed work on Junction 61 at Bowburn, one of the schemes it halted in March in response to government guidance aimed at slowing the spread of the coronavirus.

It stopped all roadworks barring critical and emergency works, but in line with the latest national guidance, a number of highways projects are resuming.

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Work on the junction, which links the A1M, A177 and A688 south of Bowburn, started last June ahead of new developments which will increase the number of vehicles using it and had been due for completion this spring.

Durham County Council has said work has restarted on Junction 61 of the A1 at Bowburn following a halt caused by the coronavirus outbreak.Durham County Council has said work has restarted on Junction 61 of the A1 at Bowburn following a halt caused by the coronavirus outbreak.
Durham County Council has said work has restarted on Junction 61 of the A1 at Bowburn following a halt caused by the coronavirus outbreak.

From Monday, May 11, road closures will be in place from 6am to 6pm until Sunday 7 June.

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Mark Readman, the council’s highway services manager, said: “The health of all of us is of the utmost importance and so it was only right that we halted all roadworks except critical and emergency works in line with government guidance aimed at slowing the spread of coronavirus.

“All the projects and services we are now resuming or reinstating are firmly in line with the latest guidance and we will ensure the safety of staff on these works.”

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Work will take place on the A688 at the Roadchef junction, around the northern edge of the junction and the traffic island at the main junction; the A1M north exit slip road to the A688; resurfacing the junction and finalising new traffic lights.

The southbound entrance and exit on the A1(M) Bowburn will be closed with no access to the B6291 towards Coxhoe and A177 towards Bowburn from the southbound entrance from today for eight days until Wednesday, May 20.

The Northbound entrance and exit on the A1(M) Bowburn will be closed with no access to the A177 towards Bowburn or Roadchef services on the A688 from Thursday, May 21, until Sunday, June 7.

There will be no east to west access from Coxhoe to Bowburn during this period.

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Diversions will be in place, with a warning journeys may take longer, and all dates and times are provisional.

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