M4 junction 4 traffic signals upgrade, Heathrow Interchange (Terminals 2 & 3), West Drayton

We’re upgrading the traffic signals at junction 4 of the M4 in West Drayton with LEDs for greater energy efficiency and reliability.

Start date 2 November 2024

End date End of March 2025

Cost Approximately £2million

Latest updates

22 October 2024

We're starting our traffic signals upgrade soon

We’re upgrading the traffic signals at junction 4 of the M4 in West Drayton. The existing traffic lights need regular maintenance and are reaching the end of their serviceable life. They will be replaced with low-voltage LEDs for greater energy efficiency and reliability.

We’ll work overnight to minimise travel disruption as much as possible, mainly Monday to Friday but with occasional, overnight, weekend work.

Temporary traffic signals will be set up overnight between Saturday 2 and Sunday 3 November. They will be in place for the duration of the project, but other traffic management will be installed at 9pm and removed at 6am to keep the junction roadworks-free during the day.

For the safety of both road users and the workforce, lane closures and full carriageway closures will be required at different times as our work progresses.

First fortnight of overnight traffic management

Lane closures will be in place around the roundabout, between 9pm and 6am, from Monday 4 to Friday 8 November.

The northern section of the roundabout, including the eastbound exit and entry slip roads, will be closed between 10pm and 6am on Saturday 9 November.

The western and northern sections of the roundabout, including the junction 4 eastbound entry slip road, will be closed between 10pm and 6am from Sunday 10 to Friday 15 November.

The northern section of the roundabout, including the eastbound exit and entry slip roads, will be closed between 10pm and 6am on Saturday 16 and Sunday 17 November.

Please remember that closures can change at short notice. You can check the latest information on our daily closures page or find live travel information on our Traffic England website. Our travel alerts give details of live incidents on our network.

See more updates

Project information

The new traffic signals will use low-voltage LEDs instead of halogen bulbs for greater energy efficiency and reliability.

We will also install an additional controller unit. The new unit will allow for more control over individual traffic signals, so any issues can be localised and resolved quickly, simplifying future maintenance requirements.

We’ll also need to renew electrical ducts, cables, and cabinets and remove and install traffic signal poles and heads. This work will involve general construction activities such as saw cutting, drilling, and excavating.

We will try to carry out any noisier tasks at the start of our shift and use low-noise tools, where possible. We apologise for any disturbance our works may cause.

The existing traffic lights need regular maintenance and are reaching the end of their serviceable life. They will be replaced with low-voltage LEDs for greater energy efficiency and reliability.

When we need to fully close part of the roundabout, or a slip road, there will be a signed diversion route.

For closures on the roundabout traffic will be diverted via the adjoining Cherry Lane roundabout and return.

For closures of the M4 eastbound exit slip road, or the M4 westbound entry slip road traffic will be diverted via M4 junction 3 and return

For closures of the M4 westbound exit slip road, or the M4 eastbound entry slip road traffic will be diverted via M4 junction 5 and return

To search for a weekly look-ahead of scheduled road closures, please visit our daily road closure report, using the filter tool to select the M4. Roadside signs will also provide advance notice.