OVERNIGHT CLOSURE OF M4 BETWEEN JUNCTIONS 13-14

19 Feb 2004 02:15 PM

The M4 motorway will be closed overnight between Junctions 13 (Chieveley) and 14 (Hungerford) on Saturday March 13 for the safe demolition of a footbridge over the motorway.

The Bussocks Wood footbridge, which is 0.5 miles west of Junction 13 at Chieveley, is being demolished as part of the M4/A34 Chieveley junction improvement scheme.

The westbound and eastbound carriageways around the bridge will be coned off from 7.00pm on Saturday 13 March in preparation for the demolition. The work on the bridge demolition will start at 9.00pm on Saturday night and finish at 9.00am on Sunday 14 March.

During the closure signed diversion routes will be in place.

- Westbound traffic will be diverted: south from Junction 14 on the A338 to Hungerford, to follow the A4 to the A34/A4 Bath Road junction and then back via then the A34 to rejoin the M4 at Junction 13.

- Drivers travelling eastbound will be diverted along: the A34 south from the M4 at Junction 13 at Chieveley to the A34/A4 Bath Road Junction, and then follow the A4 to Hungerford. From Hungerford drivers can take the A338 back to the M4 at Junction 14.

The old bridge will be replaced with a new bridge designed to better meet the needs of horse riders as well as pedestrians as part of the Chieveley improvement scheme. The installation of the new bridge will require a further full carriageway closure in mid May this year. Details of this will be published nearer the time.

Highways Agency project manager, John Martin said:

"We need to close the carriageway to take down the bridge and break up the concrete supports. We are doing the work overnight and at the weekend to avoid the busy peak times during the week.

"We recommend that drivers allow extra time as the diversion routes will add about seven miles to their journeys.

"The new bridge will linking up to a number of bridleways in the area allowing horse riders to cross the M4 instead of using the Newbury-Wantage road..

Notes to Editors:
1. The Highways Agency is an Executive Agency of the Department for Transport, which manages, maintains and improves the network of trunk roads and motorways in England on behalf of the Secretary of State. It works closely with other transport operators and with local authorities to integrate the trunk road network with the rest of England's roads and other forms of transport. More information is available at www.highways.gov.uk

2. The A34 Chieveley Junction improvement includes the construction of 3km of new dual carriageway, which will pass under the M4. Through traffic travelling north-south on the A34 will no longer have to use the roundabout at Chieveley, M4 Junction 13. This will relieve peak hour congestion on the A34. Also included in the scheme are new slip roads from the new stretch of the A34 to the M4 Junction 13, new access arrangements to the service station, maintenance depot and hotel. The £38.5 million construction contract was awarded in March 2003 and is expected to be open to traffic in Autumn 2004.

3. A bridge suitable for horse riders was added to the scheme following a Public Inquiry in 2000/2001. This bridge will cross over the A34 and new Oxford Road south of the M4, to provide a link between Green Lane (south) and Chalky Lane.

4. The new Bussocks Wood bridge will provide horse riders as well as pedestrians with a full circuit around the Chieveley area.

5. Drivers are being advised by the Highways Agency and the Department for Transport's Think road safety campaign to follow six key safe driving messages during the winter months. These are: - The British winter is unpredictable. If you must drive during severe weather, make sure you are prepared for the conditions. - Check local and national weather forecasts. Listen to travel information on radio.
- Take care around gritters and snowploughs. Don't be tempted to overtake snowploughs by squeezing into partially cleared lanes. - It can take ten times longer to stop in icy conditions. Allow extra room to slow down and stop.
- Use the highest gear possible to avoid wheel spin. Manoeuvre gently and avoid harsh braking and acceleration. If you start to skid, gently ease off the accelerator and try to avoid braking. If braking becomes necessary, brake very gently.
- When driving in snow, make sure you're equipped with warm clothes, food, water, boots, a torch and spade.