The installation of highway improvements along Water Eaton Road was suspended in March along with other works due to the Covid-19 pandemic. Since then plans have been put in place to reschedule the works whilst also meeting the Government’s guidance for social distancing on work sites.
Milton Keynes Council has announced that the works will start on Tuesday 26th May 2020, after the Spring bank holiday and will take around 6-7 weeks to complete, although this is reliant on good weather.
To ensure the works can be carried out safely, it will be necessary to close some sections of Water Eaton Road to through traffic as each work phase takes place. A diversion route will be clearly signed for any closures although these works will take place at the same time within a number of closures that Network Rail already have approval for at the same time.
The work will take place between 9:30 am to 6:30 pm Monday to Friday. These are extended working hours to ensure that the works are complete before other significant Network Rail closures and also to take advantage of the lower traffic on the network during the current lockdown.
Although access for local vehicles to access driveways will tried to be maintained as much as possible, at times workers will have to restrict access to driveways on the sections of road where work is being carried out. Milton Keynes Council asks residents to please ensure that they park their vehicle in a suitable location out of the area if they require continuous access throughout the day.
Milton Keynes Council also requests that residents assist the works by parking their vehicles out of the designated works area. The works area will be designated as far as possible by the placement of traffic cones in advance of the start of the works and the cooperation of residents would be much appreciated. It may be necessary to remove vehicles if they are obstructing the works area although this will try to be avoided.
Also, where possible, footways will remain fully open with some minor restrictions and access for emergency service vehicles will be maintained at all times.
Important Notice regarding Covid 19 pandemic and Social Distancing:
All Milton Keynes Council highways and Ringway employees are classed as 'key workers' under current UK Government legislation and as such are permitted to work on the highway in MK. Each worker carries a letter as proof of their individual key worker status.
For personal safety and for the safety of Milton Keynes Council highways and Ringway employees, please do not approach workers on this site.
Instead, please contact Phil Jeffs, Senior Highways Engineer at Milton Keynes Council, on the contact details below if you have any queries.