Major road linking M5 and M4 to close over two weekends

Motorists have been given the heads-up about weekend closures of a main road linking the M5 in Gloucestershire with the M4 in Wiltshire in September. National Highways is advising drivers to plan in advance and allow a little extra time for their journeys ahead bridge refurbishment work on the A419 at the Highworth junction, near Swindon.

The scheme involves replacing bridge parapets and to enable the structural repairs, the northbound section of the A419 will be closed at the junction over the weekend of 1-4 September and the southbound carriageway is to be closed on the weekend of 22-25 September.

The work follows last year’s refurbishment of the bridges at the A420 White Hart roundabout. It has been planned to avoid Swindon Town’s home matches and National Highways has been working closely with Swindon Borough Council in its planning.

The northbound carriageway will be closed between 8pm on Friday, 1 September to 6am on Monday, 4 September. The southbound carriageway will be closed from 8pm on Friday, 22 September to 6am on Monday, 25 September.

During the first weekend closure northbound traffic will be diverted via the A420 White Hart roundabout and rejoin the A419 at the Turnpike junction. The southbound diversion on the second weekend will see traffic leave the A419 at the Lady Lane junction and rejoin at the A420 White Hart roundabout.

During the weekend closures two-way traffic signals will also be in place on Highworth Road, and National Highways is advising drivers to plan their journeys in advance of the essential safety work.

Andrew Gale, National Highways’ Service Manager, said: “We appreciate roadworks can be frustrating but we’ve been working with both Swindon Borough Council and Swindon Town Football Club to ensure as little disruption as possible. We’ve been communicating with local businesses and communities, we’re keeping the closures to an absolute minimum and we thank all drivers in advance for their co-operation and patience while we carry out these essential works.”

References

1. ^{^} Forest Green Rovers' new timber stadium next to M5 a step closer as latest plans are revealed (www.gloucestershirelive.co.uk)