Crucial motorway used by 130,000 drivers a day hit by string of closures over two months – check diversion routes
DRIVERS are being warned of overnight closures coming to the M4 that run until early March – with bosses advising those that are planning to travel to allow extra time.
The M4, which runs 189 miles from London to South Wales, terminating at Pont Abraham services in Carmarthenshire, serves around 130,000 drivers a day on average.
But those who use the major route after hours will be facing nightly closures later this month.
National Highways have said they need to carry out resurfacing work on the eastbound carriageway – between junctions 14 and 15, near the Membury services – with work to begin from Monday, January 13.
From then, traffic will be restricted to one lane, with the hard shoulder also closed, for five nights.
Membury services will remain open for the first three nights, but entry will be closed for the next two from Thursday, January 16.
A full eastbound carriageway closure will also be in place between J15 and J14, starting on Monday, January 27.
This will last for a further 15 nights over the following five weeks.
Diversions will be put in place – including one specifically for HGVs.
Motorway traffic will be diverted by A419 northbound, B4192 Purley Road, Charnham Street, Bath Road, Eddington Hill and then by the A338 to rejoin the M4 at junction 14.
The HGV diversion will run from the A346 London Road, A4 Bath Road, Strongrove Hill, Charnham Street, Bath Road, Eddington Hill, then via the A338 to rejoin the M4 at junction 14.
During this period, drivers are being urged to pay attention to diversion signs and not their sat-navs.
Victoria Bathe, National Highways project manager, said: “We apologise for any temporary disruption this may cause but this vital resurfacing work will provide a smoother, quieter road for both drivers and communities nearby for many years to come.
“We plan our work carefully to minimise disruption and we are carrying out the majority of this maintenance at night when traffic is at its lightest.
“I’d like to take this opportunity to thank drivers for their patience and remind those planning on passing through this section of the M4 – or using one of our diversion routes – to allow extra time to complete their journeys.”
This comes as the exact date for when Britain’s “groundbreaking” new tunnel will open has been announced – and drivers should expect to be charged £4 each way.
Transport for London revealed the east London passageway as part of plans to reduce traffic congestion and pollution in the area.
However, it has not escaped controversy with some voicing their fears that more drivers will be drawn to the area, impacting air quality.
Elsewhere, this is the moment an £80,000 BMW spun out of control before smashing into a barrier on an empty road.
The luxury motor was left in tatters following the smash just outside the posh Cheshire village of Alderley Edge on Saturday.