-
Published on: 02/08/2017 03:04 AMReported by: roving-eye
Highways England ‘suited and booted’ for hazardous concrete repairs at Spaghetti Junction.
![](https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/default_news_organisation_image_data/file/209/s300_Generic_works_photo.jpg)
Flying debris that travels faster than a bullet is just one of the hazards facing Highways England repair teams working on the Spaghetti Junction.
As part of the £4.7m vital repairs to damaged concrete and waterproofing, Highways England is using high-performance jet washers that break up parts of existing concrete. The technique is known as hydrodemolition.
“Safety is always our top priority so our repair crews are wearing special body suits to protect them from flying debris which when it breaks off, can actually travel faster than a bullet,” explains Highways England project manager Jessica Kenny.
“In fact, the water is so highly pressurised that operatives have to lean forward to about 45 degrees to counter the effects of the water jetting otherwise it would knock them off their feet.
“To put it into context, if you imagine the pressure washers that you use to clean the patio at home and multiply that by about ten times, you’re still not even close to the water pressure we’re using in this instance to complete this vital work.”
As well as wearing the protective suits, those operating the machinery also need to work inside a special green cage which is designed to contain flying debris to a confined space.
Last weekend saw more than 356 people and 100 vehicles work on the 45-year-old structure that carries more than 220,000 vehicles a day.
Motorists travelling into Birmingham are still being reminded that key link roads will remain closed until 4 September.
For the duration of the scheme there is no access to the A38(M) from Gravelly Hill or Tyburn Road, with local diversions in place.
The M6 itself remains fully open during the work.
Local routes into the city centre are likely to be busier than usual. Drivers are advised to plan their journey and allow extra time.
Highways England provides live traffic information via its website, local and national radio travel bulletins, electronic road signs and mobile apps. Local Twitter services are also available at @HighwaysWMIDS
Traffic management
Weekday restrictions:
repairs to the inter-city route will be undertaken from Monday through to early Friday evening
there will be traffic management on the A38(M) Aston Expressway - the tidal flow lane will be closed for the duration of the work
three narrow lanes on A38(M) out of city with a 30mph speed limit for safety reasons
24/7 closure of the Gravelly Hill and Tyburn Road approaches to the A38(M) into city carriageway - diversions will be in place
Park Circus on-slip will remain open
Salford Circus will remain open
free recovery will be available
Weekend restrictions:
We also need to fully close the A38(M) Aston Expressway and the exit slips at M6 junction 6 each weekend until 25 August. The closures will be in place from 8pm on Friday to 6am on Monday.
No traffic will be able to access the Expressway to either enter or leave Birmingham during these closures.
General enquiries
Members of the public should contact the Highways England customer contact centre on 0300 123 5000.
Useful links: Report Cyber Crime
| Stop Nuisance Calls & Mail
| Daily Covid Stats (updated 4pm)
| Covid excess deaths in your area
| Local NHS Resources
| What 3 Words
-
Member Post Likes / Dislikes - 0 Likes, 0 Dislikes
Check Todays Deals on Ebay.co.uk
Check Todays Deals On Amazon.co.uk
Your Comments:
-
qLOCAL it's 100 miles away!
-
Member Post Likes / Dislikes - 0 Likes, 0 Dislikes
-
This is a local website for local people.
-
Member Post Likes / Dislikes - 0 Likes, 0 Dislikes
-
I live locally and travel south regularly, Friday being such an occasion the info is useful, for a local website for local people who venture further afield it is relevant.
-
Member Post Likes / Dislikes - 0 Likes, 0 Dislikes
-
Very relevant, holiday time could, quite likely will be numbers of people travelling South from this area, for us the M6 is the main route to destinations further afield.
-
Member Post Likes / Dislikes - 0 Likes, 0 Dislikes