Scheme to reduce congestion on M62 to begin next week

PRESS RELEASE ISSUED BY HIGHWAYS ENGLAND AND LEEDS CITY COUNCIL

Drivers will benefit from reduced congestion on a busy West Yorkshire motorway as major work to improve two key junctions begins on the M62 next week.

The roundabouts and slip roads at junction 27 for Gildersome will be upgraded as part of a two phase scheme starting on Monday 23 July.

The scheme – which aims to improve journey times and reduce congestion - is being funded by Highways England and will be delivered by Leeds City Council.

This scheme is part of a nationwide £220m Congestion Relief Fund which was announced by the Government last year to help tackle congestion in local areas and improve connectivity.

Leeds City Council executive member for regeneration, transport and planning Councillor Richard Lewis said:

“We are very pleased this work to improve these two key junctions on the M62 is to start shortly. Adding road capacity will ease congestion, improve journey times, reliability and also will reduce emissions levels so will be better for the environment, so we look forward to working with Highways England to get this work done.”

Highways England project manager Esref Ulas said:

“We have identified problems during peak times – affecting drivers travelling on the M62 motorway near Leeds. This scheme will address those concerns and reduce congestion on this vital route.

“We are working hard to minimise disruption but drivers should allow extra time for their journeys.”

At junction 27 the westbound exit slip roads from the M62 and M621 will be widened to 3 lanes to provide additional capacity on the roundabout improving access to Birstall and the surrounding business parks.

Work will begin later this summer at junction 28 of the M62. The westbound exit slip road will be extended to 4 lanes and the eastbound slip road will be widened to 3 lanes improving access off the motorway to the Tingley area.

At both junctions road markings and road signs will be improved and replaced and the slip roads and roundabouts will be resurfaced.

During the first phase at junction 27 the westbound exit slip roads from the M62 and M621 will be reduced to 1 lane and the speed limit will be reduced from 70mph to 50mph for safety reasons.

There will be some road closures overnight between 8pm until 6am and these will be signed in advance.

Work is expected to finish Spring 2019.

For more information please visit https://highwaysengland.co.uk/projects/m62-junctions-27-and-28-improvement-scheme/

NOTES TO EDITORS

1. Highways England is the wholly government-owned company responsible for modernising, maintaining and operating England’s motorways and major A roads.
2. Maintenance and improvement projects: We plan maintenance and improvement projects carefully to allow road works to be completed safely, in a cost effective way while keeping disruption to road users to a minimum. We do as much work as possible overnight and when roads are less busy in order to keep more lanes open for road users at peak travel times. Drivers are advised to check their route for road works and allow extra time for their journeys where needed. We have a variety of journey planning tools that road users can use to check travel conditions on the roads we manage, and we will do all we can to keep road users informed.
3. Safety at roadworks: Highways England is working with the industry and road users to reduce the risks of working on the roads. For the safety of road workers and all road users, when you are approaching roadworks:
   • Keep within the speed limit – it is there for your safety.
   • Get into the correct lane in good time – don’t keep switching.
   • Concentrate on the road ahead, not the roadworks.
   • Be alert for works’ traffic leaving or entering roadworks.
   • Keep a safe distance – there could be queues in front.
   • Observe all signs – they are there to help you.
   • And be alert for road workers, the roads are their workplace.
4. Real-time traffic information for England’s motorways and major A roads is available:
   • From the web at www.highways.gov.uk/traffic or from a phone or mobile device at m.highways.gov.uk
   • By phone from the Highways England Customer Contact Centre on 0300 123 5000 at any time. (Calls to 03 numbers are charged at no more than a national call to an 01 or 02 number and are included in all discount schemes and call allowances. This applies to all landlines, mobiles and payphones. Call costs will vary depending on your landline or mobile supplier.) Make sure it’s safe and legal before you call. Before using any mobile, find a safe place to park. Never stop on the hard shoulder of a motorway except in an emergency.
   • On Apple and Android mobile devices via the Apple App Store or Google Play Store.
   • From Twitter – there are eight feeds with live traffic information provided by region. For information on roads in the Yorkshire and Humber follow us at: @HighwaysNEAST @HighwaysYORKS or for the full index visit www.highways.gov.uk/twitter.

Issued by Highways England.

For further information please contact Kathryn Moore 075259224598. Media enquiries out of hours should be made to Highways England’s National Press Office (24hrs) on 0844 693 1448.