Press release

£10 million improvements for M4 in Berkshire

A package of road improvements to the M4 in Berkshire with a value of around £10 million is underway.

The series of projects includes improvements to the junction 10 interchange near Wokingham, bridge renovations and work to reduce the risk of flooding on the vital route, which is used by around 130,000 vehicles each day.

Surinder Bhangu, Asset Manager at the Highways Agency said:

“This is a significant investment in the M4, and shows our commitment to improving the M4, as well as keeping journeys on it safe and reliable. The improvements we’re making at junction 10 will reduce congestion and support the creation of more than 6000 jobs and 9000 homes in the area by 2020. The other work will help to keep the M4 running safely and reliably for the many thousands of drivers who depend on it every day.”

The improvement work at junction 10 has been developed in support of the Wokingham Core Strategy for growth, and will change the road layout across the junction to improve traffic flow, as well as widening the link roads from the A329(M) to the M4. Work on the project is scheduled to start in November.

The other work includes:

  • Re-waterproofing and resurfacing four bridges under the M4 including the A329 Wokingham Road Bridge and the B3030 King Street Lane Bridge. This work is already underway, and will reduce the risk of corrosion to the bridges, reducing the need for short term repairs and urgent ad hoc carriageway repairs, which cause unexpected traffic delays and disruption.
  • Repairing and updating parts of the drainage system along the M4 between junctions 8/9 and 10, to reduce the impact of potential flooding.
  • Routine maintenance and repairs, which will be carried out alongside the other work to minimise its impact for road users.

The work has been carefully planned and coordinated to keep any traffic delays to a minimum. There will be regular overnight closures, each with fully signed diversions, and there will also be a contraflow on the M4 between junctions 8/9 and 10 from early October until the beginning of December.

Full details of any traffic restrictions will be published each week, and all the projects will be completed early in 2015.

General enquiries

Members of the public should contact the Highways Agency Information Line on 0300 123 5000.

Media enquiries

Journalists should contact the Highways Agency press office on 0844 693 1448 and use the menu to speak to the most appropriate press officer.

Published 2 October 2014