Motorists using the A6 through Irthlingborough must plan for significant travel disruption later this month as emergency maintenance forces a full weekend shutdown of the viaduct. North Northamptonshire Council confirmed the closure is necessary to address structural issues that were discovered during initial works earlier in May.
The essential repairs focus on the Irthlingborough viaduct, a critical stretch of the A6. Engineers found that the concrete deck beneath the road surface has deteriorated significantly more than previous trial investigations suggested. This decay requires immediate intervention to ensure the long-term safety and stability of the carriageway.
Emergency weekend closure schedule
To facilitate these repairs safely, the road will be entirely closed to traffic during the following windows. A contingency slot has also been reserved should weather or technical issues delay the primary work.
| Date and Time | Closure Status |
|---|---|
| Friday 29 May (8pm) to Monday 1 June (6am) | Full Weekend Closure |
| Monday 1 June (8pm) to Tuesday 2 June (6am) | Contingency Closure |
Work is being carried out over the weekend to minimize the impact on weekday commuter traffic, though local diversions are expected to be busy. Drivers are advised to allow extra time for their journeys or seek alternative routes through the North Northamptonshire area.
Structural decay forces change in repair plans
The need for this additional closure stems from findings during the first phase of construction on May 8. While the original plan involved standard re-waterproofing, the exposed concrete deck was found to be in a “considerably poorer condition” than anticipated.
This unforeseen structural decay meant that the initial scope of the project was no longer sufficient. North Northamptonshire Council highways teams have had to revise their approach to ensure the viaduct remains viable for heavy traffic in the coming years. This upcoming weekend session will allow for a full assessment of the damaged area before larger-scale works begin.
Summer maintenance and ongoing updates
These weekend works are a precursor to a more comprehensive re-waterproofing project now scheduled for Summer 2026. The council has indicated that further updates regarding the summer schedule will be released once the full assessment of the concrete deck is complete.
Any immediate changes to the schedule or emergency updates regarding the A6 will be posted directly to the North Northants Highways social media channels. Detailed information regarding broader roadwork projects across the region remains available through the official council web portal.
Source: North Northamptonshire Council
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