Second weekend closure for HS2 works

A box-like structure is being built next to the A46, which will be pushed under the road to carry the rail line

A section of the A46 in Warwickshire will close later for a second weekend of works for HS2.

It will shut from 20:00 GMT on Friday until 06:00 on Monday between Festival Roundabout, for Coventry, and Thickthorn Roundabout, for Kenilworth.

A closure the previous weekend led to frustration from residents on social media platforms.

HS2 Ltd thanked people for their patience and said the closure was important for the wider engineering works.

Over the weekend, engineering teams will be preparing the carriageway for a box-like structure, which will be pushed underneath the A46 in the spring and will ultimately carry the high-speed rail line.

HS2 said diversions would be in place for both local traffic and HGVs over the weekend.

It added that special access arrangements would be made for those living in the villages of Stoneleigh and Ashow.

Commuters told the BBC they were dreading the final stage of roadworks, after HS2 said that would require a longer closure later in the spring to move the structure into place.

A date has yet to be set for that.

Following the weekend work, a 50mph speed limit will be in place, as well as a lane closure on the northbound carriageway and narrow lanes southbound

These are expected to be in place until early April.