Ahead of this weekend’s essential closure of the M4 in Berkshire between Junctions 10 and 11, here's an update on why these works need to happen, along with a reminder to plan ahead if you need to make a journey in the area.
M4 closure at-a-glance
When: 9pm Friday 18 September to 6am Monday 21 September
Where: M4 between Junction 10 (Winnersh) and Junction 11 (Reading)
Why: Essential work to restore a key part of the overhead electricity network
Diversion: Via the A329(M) and B3270
Q When is the M4 being closed between junctions 10 and 11?
The M4 motorway will be closed between junctions 10 (Winnersh) and 11 (Reading) from 9pm on the evening of Friday 18 September to 6am on Monday 21 September. This is to allow for essential work to take place to restore a key part of the overhead electricity network which was severely damaged earlier this year.
Q Why are you closing the road?
The project to restore the network back to its previous state is now almost complete. Following months of specialised design work and site preparation, a replacement tower was installed (below) in Winnersh in July. This weekend’s crucial stage involves running new high-voltage wires across the M4, and the only safe way to do this is to close this section of the road to all traffic for a short period.
Q What’s the risk to the power network if this work isn’t carried out?
Since the network was damaged back in February, this section of overhead lines has not been operational. This means that the electricity it usually carries to tens of thousands of homes and businesses is having to be run via other routes, which reduces the network’s overall resilience. There’s a pressing need to restore the network back to full strength before the beginning of October. From this point onwards, the days become considerably shorter, and electricity demand increases markedly as a result.
This weekend’s closure is the only way we can get the electricity network in this area back to full strength before the onset of the winter, and we’re grateful for your patience while we complete the job.
Q Why can’t you keep the road partially open during these works?
The detailed work of running new lines between electricity towers at considerable height is a delicate, precise task which relies in part on human sight, which rules out overnight working. The heights we’ll be working at above the carriageways while we run the new wires - and install the huge conductors which attach them to the towers - means it wouldn’t be safe for traffic to pass by underneath.
Q Why was this weekend selected?
Wherever possible, each set of works involving the motorway or trunk road networks is carefully planned with National Highways to avoid overlapping with others which have already been scheduled in the vicinity. The dates for our works were agreed to avoid coinciding with closures on the M3 which took place last weekend. Other events in the area and key holiday dates are also factored in, to identify when traffic flows are lower to minimise overall disruption. National Highways also works with the emergency services and local authorities to co-ordinate with other works on the wider road network.
Q Why haven’t you changed the date to avoid events taking place locally this weekend?
As soon as the date was confirmed with National Highways, planning for the complex line-installation operation accelerated, with the services of specialist engineers and equipment secured for this weekend.
Once the wire-stringing over the M4 is complete, our in-house experts will need to carry out further work to re-energise this stretch of the network before the end of this month.
Q I need to travel in the area; what’s your advice for me?
The main diversion route is via the A329(M) and the B3270, as shown by the green line on the map below.
There’s a likelihood all journey times in the area will be affected. The diversions signposted are only advisory, so it’s likely people with local knowledge may pursue their own alternative routes. This means other roads in the area will also be busier than normal, so allowing extra time for all journeys is strongly advised.
Spectators travelling to Reading FC’s home fixture against Notts County at the Select Car Leasing Stadium this Saturday are advised to allow additional time for their journeys. Following discussions between us, National Highways and Reading FC about these essential works, we're working with the Club to minimise disruption and help supporters plan their journeys ahead of the 3pm kick-off.
Many students will be travelling to the University of Reading ahead of the new term this weekend. Campus staff are communicating with students, to advise them of the need to plan ahead and allow more time for journeys to their accommodation.
Q I live locally next to the site – will my daily routine be affected?
Hatch Farm Way in Winnersh will be closed this weekend, as it runs immediately to the north of the M4 at the point where the new overhead wires will be suspended. Residents in the immediate vicinity of the site have been written to and visited in person to provide them with details of how works will affect their day-to-day routines for short periods this weekend.