Press release

Improvements to junction 10 on the M4 near Reading

Work will start this weekend on a major improvement scheme at junction 10 on the M4 near Reading

The upgrade to junction 10 is part of the Government’s £317 million pinch point programme on motorways and major trunk roads to be delivered by summer 2015. This is part of the biggest programme of road enhancements since the 1970s and will reduce congestion, increase safety and improve journey times.

The improvements will widen slip roads and improve the road layout at the busy junction to ease congestion and improve traffic flows from the M4 onto the A329(M).

Highways Agency Project Sponsor Ed French said:

The additional capacity this scheme will bring will allow the junction to work more efficiently to reduce congestion and improve journey times.

We have planned the work carefully to minimise disruption and will carry out as much of the work as possible overnight, when traffic flows are at their lowest. I advise anyone wishing to use the junction to plan their journeys and to allow extra time.

This will involve widening the north and southbound slip roads from the M4 onto the A329(M) to allow for new two lane merges; reducing both carriageways of the A329(M), where it crosses the M4, to one lane using road markings; and amending the road markings on the link roads from the M4 eastbound carriageway to the A329(M) Wokingham bound carriageway to allow for two lanes.

This scheme has been identified as a priority as junction 10 is a major interchange connecting the M4 with the A329(M). The junction is affected by peak time congestion, particularly as it merges from the M4 onto the A329(M), leading to traffic queues on the link roads back towards the M4.

The £5 million scheme is scheduled to be completed by June 2015. To keep overall disruption to a minimum and for the safety of road workers, the work will be programmed to take place when traffic flows are at their lowest, using overnight lane closures and occasional slip road closures at junction 10.

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 6 January 2015