Lofthouse Interchange to close to all traffic for eight weeks

A major motorway interchange will be closed for eight weeks while essential maintenance work is carried out. Photo: Google Maps

Lofthouse Interchange, at the junction of the M62 and M1 close to Wakefield, opened in 1970, and now carries more than 45,000 vehicles a day.

But diversions will be in place later this month as work begins on a £3.6 million maintenance project for the roundabout's four bridges.

Highways England project manager Russel McLean said: “We understand completely that this work is going to have a large impact on drivers. We’ve looked at various options to complete this work and have spoken to local businesses and stakeholders to gather views.

Diversions will be in place while the work is carried out. Photo: Highways England.

"The best option we have is to close the roundabout for eight weeks. The alternative would be to carry out the work in separate sections but this would cause more disruption and require three, six-week closures.

“The roundabout has been experiencing problems with the bridge joints over the last few years. This scheme will allow us to carry out these essential repairs and do additional work to minimise the amount of disruption in future years.”

The work will replace the interchange's 20 bridge joints, which allow the bridge to move in a controlled way during severe weather, as well as re-waterproofing the structures and resurfacing the road.

It had initially been planned for later in the year, but has been brought forward to take place while Covid-19 restrictions are in place, so that engineers can make the most of lower traffic volumes.

During the work, the junction's free flow link roads, which don't require drivers to use the roundabout, will remain open.

But diversions will be in place for those travelling from the M1 northbound to M62 eastbound, M62 eastbound to M1 Southbound and M62 westbound to M1 northbound.

Diversions will take road users to the next junction on either the M1 or M62 and back to the Lofthouse Interchange where drivers can use the free-flowing link roads which remain open.

Closures will begin to close from Friday, June 26, with the roundabout closed fully by the end of the month.

A spokesperson for Highways England said: "The work will take 8 weeks, weather permitting, and further details of the scheme can be found on the Highways England website.

"Regular updates will also be provided via Twitter by following @HighwaysYorks and using #Lofthouse.

"Strict safeguarding measures will be in place on site to prevent the spread of COVID19 and will be closely monitored to keep the workforce and road users safe."