Average Speed Cameras Going Up A1(M) in County Durham.
If you’ve been on the A1(M) in County Durham, you may have noticed a number of average speed cameras going up in recent weeks. Drivers passing from Junction 61, near Amazon in Bowburn, and Junction 59, near the A167 turnoff, have spotted the yellow cameras appearing up and down the road.
The Northern Echo has reported that a 50mph speed limit is in place some of the way, but speed cameras have also been added to areas seemingly not in the roadwork zone. But National Highways has explained why they’ve been installed and what work is currently being undertaken.
Ted Chamberlain, National Highways Project Manager, said the existing barriers along the entire stretch are being replaced in a bid to improve safety. It is being done in two phases with the first seeing a 50mph average speed zone now in place between Junction 60 and Junction 59.
Meanwhile, the second phase, between Junction 60 and Junction 61, will take place next year with a set of average speed cameras already installed.
Mr Chamberlain said: “The current barrier is coming towards the end of its life and the existing wire rope safety fence needs replacing. We are working hard to keep disruption to a minimum, but I’d urge drivers to plan their journey in advance when closures are in place. I want to thank drivers for their patience while we carry out this essential safety work.”
“In common with other maintenance work and to keep traffic moving during the day, we will have narrow lanes in place in both directions and speed will be limited to a 50mph enforced limit with average speed cameras in place. This is to ensure the safety of everyone using the network while travelling through the roadworks.”
National Highways has revealed the road will be subject to overnight closures to ensure the work is carried out “safely” and ensure narrow lanes are in place.
The following junctions will be closed each night from between 8pm and 6am on these dates.
– Southbound from junction 61 to 60 between December 2 and December 6 (no Saturday night working)
– Northbound from junction 59 to 61 between December 7 and December 16 (no Saturday night working)
No overnight closures are expected then until February 2022 when the first phase of work is completed between junction 59 and 60.