Overnight closures at M5 junction 4 as improvement scheme progresses
The roundabout at M5 junction 4 is being widened to boost traffic flow as part of £11m improvements.
The work is scheduled to start on December 4 and will last for 16 weeks, with overnight closures and lane restrictions throughout.
Drivers are urged to allow extra time for their journeys while the work progresses. Diversions will be in place.
Highways Agency Project Manager, Debbie Makinde said:
We’re making steady progress on this important scheme, which will greatly improve traffic flow and journey times through this busy junction.
We are widening the roundabout to provide four lanes, which will help traffic flow more smoothly, but this will require some disruption while we complete the work.
Drivers should plan their journeys in advance, allow extra time and adhere to traffic management around the working site. Diversions will be clearly signed ahead of any lane closures.
This is a huge £11m scheme, and once it is complete, drivers will really notice a difference at this junction, with better traffic flow and smoother journeys.
Work began at the junction in July and has progressed along the motorway. The M5 is currently reduced to three lanes where it approaches junction 4, and two lanes through the junction.
The roundabout will remain open to traffic but will be reduced to two lanes to allow teams to carry out work between 6am and 7.30pm each day, and restricted to a single lane between 7.30pm and 6am.
It is expected that this work will last for 16 weeks.
Overnight work will take place between 7pm and 7am throughout the week (including weekends) on both the roundabout and the motorway. Daytime work will take place between 8am and 4pm. During the overnight works, the motorway will be reduced to a single lane running through the junction.
There will also be some overnight closures of the M5 between junctions 3 and 4, between junctions 4 and 5, and on the northbound and southbound exit slip roads to the M5 junction 4 to allow work to progress.
A further weekend closure of the motorway through junction 4 is planned early in 2015 to enable bridge beams to be lifted into place and to install safety barriers at the roundabout. This will be advertised closer to the time.
The work is being carried out as part of the Government’s £317 million pinch point programme, which aims to boost local economies by reducing congestion and delays at key locations.
The pinch point improvement programme is designed to boost local economies, reduce congestion and improve safety on the strategic road network in England. It is part of the UK government’s growth initiative, outlined during the Chancellor’s Autumn Statement in November 2011.
For more information about this scheme and details of traffic management throughout the project please go to the dedicated project pages or call the Highways Agency Information Line on 0300 123 5000.
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