Birchanger Green Roundabout
Birchanger Green Roundabout | |||
Location Map ( geo) | |||
| |||
Location | |||
near Bishop's Stortford | |||
County | |||
Essex • Hertfordshire | |||
Highway Authority | |||
National Highways | |||
Junction Type | |||
modified roundabout interchange | |||
Roads Joined | |||
M11, A120 | |||
Junctions related to the B1256 | |||
Birchanger Green Roundabout is junction 8 of the M11. Originally just the access for Bishop's Stortford, it became more important with the development of Stansted Airport. To deal with the traffic, in the '90s cut-through was added to the roundabout and then in the '00s, free-flowing slip roads bypassing the whole junction were created.
Originally the A1250 from Bishop's stortford also joined the roundabout; however, with the building of Birchanger Green services, the A1250 was diverted to meet the A120 at a new roundabout to the west of Birchanger Green, and a short piece of dual carriageway constructed to link the two roundabouts. Concern at the time in parliament was principally around siting the services and Stansted so close together, and that the in-fill between Bishop's Stortford and Stansted by adding a motorway service area would encourage further development - Hansard May 1987
In 2014, proposals emerged for possible future enhancements to the interchange, to support further growth in the area; these were:
- 1. Amended lane markings and new filter lane between M11 s/b and Stansted airport
- 2. Option 1 plus additional lane marking changes to M11 n/b offslip
- 3. Option 2 plus additional lane on M11 n/b offslip
- 5. Option 3 plus additional lanes on both A120 approaches
The report then goes on to say that further improvements to the interchange could only be achieved by providing dedicated M11 north facing sliproads for Stansted airport plus grade separation of the A120 route, perhaps by provision of a flyover above the interchange. (source: Uttlesford District Council)
In 2018, Essex County Council provided detailed plans for improvements to the junction, including the addition of further stacking lanes on the approaches to the roundabout, and the replacement of the A120/A1250 satellite roundabout with a signalised crossroads as a "short to medium term" solution, with preliminary works expected to commence in winter 2018 and work being complete two years later.
Routes
Route | To | Notes |
Cambridge, Newmarket | ||
London, Harlow | ||
Hertford, Bishop's Stortford, Birchanger | ||
Colchester, Stansted Airport | ||
Takeley, Little Canfield | Former A120 until dual carriageway bypass opened in 2003 | |
Bishop's Stortford | Former A120, redirected when services opened | |
Birchanger Green services |
Links
legislation.gov.uk
- The M11 Motorway (Junction 8) Connecting Roads Scheme 2001 - This appears to be legislation to realign the north facing sliproads to allow the connection to Priory Wood Roundabout from the M11 mainline.
Essex Highways
Cambridge News