Road users are being reminded that essential bridge maintenance work continues on the M4 this weekend.
The motorway will be closed in both directions between junction 12 (for Theale) and junction 13 (for Chieveley), from 10pm on Friday 8 December until 5am on Monday 11 December.
The work is part of a project to fully refurbish three bridges that carry the M4 over the B4009 Hampstead Norreys Road, Brocks Lane and Burnt Hill Road near Hermitage in West Berkshire.
This weekend’s work is the second of four weekend closures, which will see the bridges fully refurbished.
This weekend, large cranes will lift new bridge beams into position to replace the old ones which were removed during the last weekend closure.
Highways England project sponsor Andrew Winson: “Renewing these three bridges is a large and complex task, and closing the M4 is the only way to be able to complete it safely. By carrying out the work on all three bridges together, in a closely coordinated way, we hope to keep disruption to a minimum. We have worked closely with the local councils, the police and other stakeholders to plan the work, and I encourage any drivers planning a trip on the M4 this weekend to check ahead to see how they will be affected. I would like to thank road users and people living near the bridges or the diversion routes for their patience while we carry out this important work.”
There will be fully signed diversions in place. However as delays are expected, drivers are advised to consider alternative routes if possible. Drivers seeking to use the M4 will be diverted via the A4.
Similar future closures are planned over the following weekends as the work is completed:
- Friday 15 to Monday 18 December 2017
- Friday 12 to Monday 15 January 2018
Highways England provides live traffic information via its website (www.trafficengland.com), local and national radio travel bulletins, electronic road signs and mobile apps. Local Twitter services are also available at@HighwaysSEAST.
