Drivers travelling between Bristol and South Wales will face diversions this week while two major routes are closed. Part of the M4 and M48 will be closed between 8pm and 6pm on Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday this week as the next phase of a major roadwork scheme begins.
The M4 will be closed eastbound between junction 23A for Magor and junction 22 for Pilning, over the Prince of Wales Bridge, while the M48 will be shut on the Bristol side of the bridge. The M48 will also be closed eastbound from Magor, where it splits from the M4. Highways Wales says this will be closed to stop access to the roadworks area on the M4.
Highways Wales said it is carrying out ‘essential works to carriageway patch repairs at various locations’. It is the second stage of works, after the westbound carriageway was completed in three overnight closures last week.
Read more: Holidaymaker 'deeply embarrassed' by behaviour on Bristol flight
Motorists heading out after 8pm will be diverted around the closures, though this could mean an extra 100 miles added to some trips. While most vehicles driving on the M4 will be able to drive a short way northwards via the A48 to the old Severn Bridge at Chepstow, any vehicle over 15ft tall will be forced to drive to Glolucestershire and take the M5 back down to Bristol.
M4 eastbound diversion route
Vehicles below 15ft tall
- Come of the M4 at J24 at Newport and follow the A48 towards Chepstow.
- Join the M48 and take the old Severn Bridge towards Bristol.
- You can then rejoin the M4 at the Almondsbury Interchange.
Vehicles above 15ft tall
- Leave the M4 at J24 at Newport but follow the A449 instead.
- Follow this north until Raglan, before joining the A40.
- Stay with the A40 through Monmouth and the Wye Valley.
- Take the exit for the A449 at Greytree before joining the M50 at Travellers Rest roundabout.
- Stay with the motorway until the Strensham Interchange where it meets the M5.
- Follow the M5 back to Bristol.
The diversion will also affect traffic on the M49 - no drivers will come across the Prince of Wales bridge, with all drivers instead making their way down the M5 to Avonmouth instead. Highways Wales said it was completing "essential works to carry out carriageway patch repairs at various locations".
Read next:
