WIREDGOV

Work to resurface an eastbound section of the M4 Second Severn Crossing will start on June 9 and continue for approximately five weeks.

A 0.6-mile length of lane 1 of the eastbound carriageway on the crossing between Junctions 22 and 23 is to be resurfaced., A 0.6 miles of the westbound lane 1 will also be resurfaced in September following the school holidays.

To carry out this work safely and as quickly as possible, it will be necessary to close two of the three lanes on the affected stretch of the crossing and reduce the speed limit to 50mph. Work will take place round the clock..

The Highways Agency strongly recommends that road users follow advance signing and Variable Message Signs which will advise traffic to use a clearly signed version via the M48 Severn Bridge during busy times. This will provide an additional two lanes of network capacity with a 70mph speed limit.

Highways Agency Project Sponsor, Chris Pope said:

"After more than 15 years of use, lane one of the M4 Crossing - which carries a much greater proportion of heavy goods vehicles - requires resurfacing for 0.6 miles in each direction. Without this work frequent remedial action would need to be taken.

"To keep traffic moving we strongly recommend that road users follow instructions given on the variable and advanced message signs.

"With this system in place no more than a few minutes should be added to journey times, but we would like to emphasise the importance of road users following message signs and planning their journeys. as this will be key to keeping traffic moving."

The work will be carried out in two phases:-

Phase 1 to resurface lane 1 of the eastbound carriageway will take place between 9 June and 14 July.

Phase 2 to resurface lane 1 of the westbound carriageway will take place from September 6 and will be completed by 11 October..

During busy and peak times road users will have a short diversion of 2.5 miles via the M48 Severn Bridge. Wide and abnormal loads will continue to use the M4 Crossing at all times.

The work to replace the road surface has been timed to avoid periods when it is more likely to be disrupted by bad weather - and to ensure full capacity on both Crossings is available for the Olympics in 2012.

Both the existing surfacing and waterproofing will be removed and replaced.

During the works 24 hour breakdown recovery will be available.

The latest information on the works can be obtained by visiting Severn River Crossing's web site at www.severnbridge.co.uk or the Highways Agency Traffic Information web page at www.highways.gov.uk/traffic .

Notes to Editors

Issued the Highways Agency. For further information please contact South West Press Officer Rachel Whitelock on 07770 544 608. Media enquiries out of hours should be made to the Highways Agency National Press Office (24hrs) on 0207 081 7443.

1. The Highways Agency is an executive agency of the Department for Transport. We manage, maintain and improve England's motorways and trunk roads on behalf of the Secretary of State.

2.We plan maintenance and improvement projects carefully to allow works to be completed safely, in a cost effective way while keeping disruption to road users to a minimum. We do as much work as possible overnight and when roads are less busy in order to keep more lanes open for road users at peak travel times. Drivers are advised to check their route for road works and allow extra time for their journeys where needed. We have a variety of journey planning tools that road users can use to check travel conditions on the roads we manage, and we will do all we can to keep road users informed.

3. Real-time traffic information for England's motorways and major A roads is available:
- From our Traffic Radio service, available on DAB digital radio and the internet at www.trafficradio.org.uk To tune into the DAB service, simply press the "scan" button on your radio. The radio will tune into all available channels and you can select the new service by scrolling through the channels until you reach "Traffic Radio".
- From the web at www.highways.gov.uk/traffic or www.highways.gov.uk/mobile if using a phone or mobile device.
Before using any mobile, find a safe place to park. Never stop on the hard shoulder of a motorway except in an emergency. Make sure it's safe and legal before you call.
- By phone from the Highways Agency 24-hour voice activated phone service on 08700 660 115. (Calls from BT residential landlines to 0870 numbers will cost no more than 8p per minute; call charges from other landlines and mobile networks may vary).
4. For more general information about the Highways Agency and its work, visit the Highways Agency website www.highways.gov.uk, or telephone the Highways Agency Information Line on 0300 123 5000 at any time. Calls from landlines to 0300 and 08700 numbers can cost up to 8p per minute but are free from some landline providers: calls from mobiles usually cost more. Please check costs with your service provider.

Safety at roadworks
The Highways Agency is working with the industry and road users to reduce the risks of working on the roads. For the safety of road workers and all road users, when you are approaching roadworks:
- Keep within the speed limit - it is there for your safety.
- Get into the correct lane in good time - don't keep switching.
- Concentrate on the road ahead, not the roadworks.
- Be alert for works' traffic leaving or entering roadworks.
- Keep a safe distance - there could be queues in front.
- Observe all signs - they are there to help you.
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