A MAJOR motorway is set to close for the whole weekend – wreaking havoc for day trippers.
A trench is being dug under the motorway, which is used by a whopping 130,000 drivers every day.
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The closure will be in place on the M4 north of Bristol in both directions between junctions 18 and 19.
It will remain in place between Friday October 18 at 7pm and Monday October 21 at 6am.
National Highways confirmed the news of the closure, which is part of ongoing work on the A432 Badminton Road Bridge – which is set to be demolished next year.
Between 3,000 and 4,000 vehicles use the section of road every hour at peak times during the weekend.
The works are therefore likely to cause a build-up of traffic in the surrounding area, with day trippers urged to consider off-peak times for their arrangements.
However, a westbound diversion is in place via the A46 towards Bath, A420 towards Warmley, A4174 towards the M32 and the M32.
Drivers should then rejoin the M4 at junction 19.
The eastbound diversion is the same in reverse.
National Highways Route Manager Sean Walsh said: “This is one of the busiest sections of motorway in the South West which is why we are reminding drivers to plan their journeys during the closure.
“We carefully plan our schemes to limit any inconvenience, but sometimes it’s not possible to carry out the work that’s needed without a closure.
“Our message for anyone who plans to travel on the M4 around Bristol is to avoid the area if you can – if that’s not possible, allow yourself plenty of extra time to complete your journey via our signed diversion routes and expect delays.”
An investigation in 2023 revealed that the Badminton Road Bridge was undergoing serious deterioration.
The bridge has since been permanently closed, while work on a replacement structure is set to begin in spring 2026.
This weekend’s closure comes as another major road, the A387 in Cornwall, is also set to close for a whole six weeks.
