M4 / M5 interchange Dynamic Hard Shoulder enhancements

We are upgrading dynamic hard shoulder motorways, starting with the central reservation barriers.

Start date February 2023
End date Summer 2024
Cost

Latest updates

  • 07 December 2023

    December newsletter

    Newsletter - December 2023

  • 30 November 2023

    Overnight closures - December 2023

    We have some road closures taking place between junctions 19 and 20 of the M4 and on the M5 southbound exit slip road at junction 16. We need to close the roads so we can carry out some essential maintenance works.

    Our overnight closures will usually start from 9pm and finish by 6am but this can change depending on the volume of traffic and when we can close the road safely.

     

    Full road closures

     M4 junction 19 to junction 20 westbound will be closed on Tuesday 5, Wednesday 6 and Thursday 7 December.

    Diversion for M4 junction 19 to junction 20 westbound

    The M5 junction 16 southbound exit slip road will be closed on Tuesday 5, Wednesday 6 and Thursday 7 December.

    Diversion for M5 junction 16 southbound exit slip road closure:

    In the event of poor weather conditions or other issues out of our control, planned work may be postponed at short notice. Contingency bookings are also in place, but these are only used if previously planned work is delayed and there is no clash with other closures. If work completes on an earlier day the motorway may not close, or if work completes ahead of schedule the motorway may reopen early.

    Our diversion routes are designed to suit all types of vehicles. If you use a Satnav when following our diversion, there is a risk it could direct you down an unsuitable road or try to direct you back onto our network when it is closed.

    Plan your journey, even if it’s a regular trip. You can do this by checking our Daily Closure Report or visiting our Travel Updates page.

  • 08 November 2023

    Overnight closures - November 2023

    We have some road closures taking place between junctions 19 and 20 of the M4. We need to close the roads so we can carry out essential maintenance work.

    Overnight closures will usually start at 9pm and finish by 6am but this can change depending on the volume of traffic and when we can close the road safely.

    Full road closures

    M4 junction 19 to junction 20 westbound will be closed on Monday 13, Tuesday 14, and Wednesday 15 November 2023.

    Diversion for westbound closures:

    In the event of poor weather conditions or other issues out of our control, planned work may be postponed at short notice. Contingency bookings are in place, but these are only used if previously planned work is delayed and there is no clash with other closures. If work completes ahead of schedule the motorway may reopen early.

    Our diversion routes are designed to suit all types of vehicles. If you use a Satnav when following our diversion, there is a risk it could direct you down an unsuitable road or try to direct you back onto our network when it is closed.

    Plan your journey, even if it’s a regular trip. You can do this by checking our Daily Closure Report or visiting our Travel Updates page.

  • 07 November 2023

    November newsletter

    Newsletter - November 2023

  • 05 October 2023

    October newsletter

    Newsletter - October 2023

  • 07 September 2023

    September newsletter

    Newsletter - September 2023

    Please open - See more updates -  for closure dates in September

  • 06 September 2023

    Overnight closures - September 2023

    We have some overnight road closures taking place between junctions 19 and 20 of the M4. We need to close the roads so we can carry out some essential maintenance works.

    Our closures will usually start from 9pm and finish by 6am but this can change depending on the volume of traffic and when we can close the road safely.

     

    Full road closures

     Eastbound - M4 junction 20 to junction 19 will be closed on Monday 11, Tuesday 12 and Wednesday 13 September.

    Westbound - M4 junction 19 to junction 20 will be closed on Thursday 14 and Friday 15 September.

    Diversion for both eastbound and westbound closures

    In the event of poor weather conditions or other issues out of our control, planned work may be postponed at short notice. Contingency bookings are also in place, but these are only used if previously planned work is delayed and there is no clash with other closures. If work completes on an earlier day the motorway may not close, or if work completes ahead of schedule the motorway may reopen early.

    Our diversion routes are designed to suit all types of vehicles. If you use a Satnav when following our diversion, there is a risk it could direct you down an unsuitable road or try to direct you back onto our network when it is closed.

    Plan your journey, even if it’s a regular trip. You can do this by checking our Daily Closure Report or visiting our Travel Updates page.

  • 08 August 2023

    August newsletter

    Newsletter - August 2023

  • 18 July 2023

    Overnight closures July 2023

    Overnight road closures will be in place between junctions 20 and 19 of the M4. The road closures are needed so we can carry out some maintenance works.

    Our overnight closures will usually start from 9pm and finish by 6am but this can change depending on the volume of traffic and when we can close the road safely.

     

    Overnight road closures

    Monday 24 July 2023 - The M4 junction 20 to junction 19 eastbound will be closed 

    Tuesday 25 July 2023 - The M4 junction 20 to junction 19 westbound will be closed 

    Diversion

    The diversion route for the M4 junction 20 to junction 19 eastbound closure will follow the diversion above but in reverse.

    In the event of poor weather conditions or other issues out of our control, planned work may be postponed at short notice. Contingency bookings are in place, but these are only used if previously planned work is delayed and there is no clash with other closures. If work completes on an earlier day the motorway may not close, or if work completes ahead of schedule the motorway may reopen early.

    Our diversion routes are designed to suit all types of vehicles. If you use a Satnav when following our diversion, there is a risk it could direct you down an unsuitable road or try to direct you back onto our network when it is closed.

    Plan your journey, even if it’s a regular trip. You can do this by checking our Daily Closure Report or visiting our Travel Updates page.

  • 27 June 2023

    June newsletter

    Newsletter - June 2023

  • 18 May 2023

    May progress update

    We have now installed all the narrow lanes needed for our works and have removed the existing metal barrier from the central reservation. We have removed all the foundations from the area and stripped away the topsoil.

    On the M5, at each of the new emergency stopping areas we are installing, we have been preparing the ground. This has involved removing a section of the metal barrier and some of the lighting.

     

    What’s happening next?

    On the M4, our next key activity will be upgrading and replacing the drainage system.

    For the M5 works, we will shortly begin our earthworks activity on the exit slip road of junction 16 – primarily removing the topsoil.

  • 03 May 2023

    Spring newsletter - May 2023

    Spring newsletter - May 2023

  • 16 March 2023

    Update to overnight closures March 2023

    This week, we continue our work on the M4 by putting in narrow lanes and a reduced speed limit. This is to create a safe working space for our team and to keep traffic moving as we start our upgrade work.

    Alongside this, we’ll also begin working on the M5. We will be putting in narrow lanes and a reduced speed limit here too.

    Our overnight closures will usually start from 9pm and finish by 6am but this can change depending on the volume of traffic and when we can close the road safely.

     

    Narrow lane installation closures

    The M4 junction 19 to junction 20 westbound will be closed overnight on Thursday 16 March, Friday 17 March, Saturday 18 March, Sunday 19 March, Monday 20 March and Tuesday 21 March 2023.

    Diversion:

    March update 2 Diversion 1

     

    The M4 junction 20 westbound exit slip road to M5 southbound link road and the exit to the M5 northbound link road will be closed overnight on Friday 17 March and Saturday 18 March.

    The M5 junction 16 southbound exit slip road and link road will also be closed overnight on Friday 17 March and Saturday 18 March.

     Diversion:

    March update 2 Diversion 2

     

    The M5 junction 18a northbound to junction 16, the M5 junction 18a northbound entry slip road and the M5 junction 17 northbound entry slip road will be closed overnight on Friday 24 March and Saturday 25 March.

    Diversion:

    March update 2 Diversion 3

     

    In the event of poor weather conditions or other issues out of our control, planned work may be postponed at short notice. Contingency bookings are also in place, but these are only used if previously planned work is delayed and there is no clash with other closures. If work completes on an earlier day the motorway may not close, or if work completes ahead of schedule the motorway may reopen early.

    Our diversion routes are designed to suit all types of vehicles. If you use a Satnav when following our diversion, there is a risk it could direct you down an unsuitable road or try to direct you back onto our network when it is closed.

    Plan your journey, even if it’s a regular trip. You can do this by checking our Daily Closure Report or visiting our Travel Updates page.

  • 09 March 2023

    Overnight closures March 2023

    This week our carriageway preparation continues, and we’ll start to now put in narrow lanes and a reduced speed limit on the M4. This is to create a safe working space for our team and keep traffic moving as we start our upgrade work.

    Our overnight closures will usually start from 9pm and finish by 6am but this can change depending on the volume of traffic and when we can close the road safely.

     

    Temporary road marking preparation works closures

    The M4 junction 19 eastbound exit slip road closed will be closed overnight on Thursday 9 March 2023.

    Diversion:

     

    The M4 junction 19 westbound entry slip road will be closed on Saturday 11 March, Sunday 12 March, Monday 13 March, Tuesday 14 March and Wednesday 15 March 2023.

    Diversion:

     

    The M4 junction 20 westbound exit slip road to the M5 junction * northbound and southbound on Saturday 11 March, Sunday 12 March, Monday 13 March, Tuesday 14 March and Wednesday 15 March 2023.

    Diversion:

     

    Narrow lane installation closures

    The M5 junction 15 northbound and southbound exit slip roads to the M4 junction 20 eastbound will be closed overnight on Friday 10 March, Saturday 11 March, Sunday 12 March, Monday 13 March, Tuesday 14 March and Wednesday 15 March 2023.

    Diversion:

    The M4 junction 20 to junction 19 eastbound will be closed overnight on Friday 10 March, Saturday 11 March, Sunday 12 March, Monday 13 March, Tuesday 14 March and Wednesday 15 March 2023.

     

    Diversion:

     

    The M4 junction 19 to junction 20 westbound will be closed overnight on Thursday 16 March, Friday 17 March, Saturday 18 March, Sunday 19 March, Monday 20 March and Tuesday 21 March 2023.

    Diversion:

     

    In the event of poor weather conditions or other issues out of our control, planned work may be postponed at short notice. Contingency bookings are also in place, but these are only used if previously planned work is delayed and there is no clash with other closures. If work completes on an earlier day the motorway may not close, or if work completes ahead of schedule the motorway may reopen early.

    Our diversion routes are designed to suit all types of vehicles. If you use a Satnav when following our diversion, there is a risk it could direct you down an unsuitable road or try to direct you back onto our network when it is closed.

     

    Plan your journey, even if it’s a regular trip. You can do this by checking our Daily Closure Report or visiting our Travel Updates page.

     

  • 24 February 2023

    Overnight closures February and March 2023

    We’ll soon start putting in narrow lanes and a reduced speed limit on the M4 to create a safe working space for our team and keep traffic moving as we start our upgrade work.

    Our overnight closures will usually start from 9pm and finish by 5am but this can change depending on the volume of traffic and when we can close the road safely.

     

    Temporary road marking preparation works closures

    The M5 junction 15 northbound and southbound exit link roads to the M4 junction 20 eastbound will be closed overnight on: Monday 27 February, Tuesday 28 February, Wednesday 1 March, Thursday 2 March and Friday 3 March 2023.

    Diversion M5 J15 eastbound and westbound to M4 J20

    The M4 junction 19 eastbound exit slip road closed will be closed overnight on Saturday 4 March, Sunday 5 March, Monday 6 March, Tuesday 7 March, Wednesday 8 March and Thursday 9 March 2023.

    M4 J19 exit slip

    In the event of poor weather conditions or other issues out of our control, planned work may be postponed at short notice. Contingency bookings are also in place, but these are only used if previously planned work is delayed and there is no clash with other closures. If work completes on an earlier day the motorway may not close, or if work completes ahead of schedule the motorway may reopen early.

    Our diversion routes are designed to suit all types of vehicles. If you use a Satnav when following our diversion, there is a risk it could direct you down an unsuitable road or try to direct you back onto our network when it is closed.

    Plan your journey, even if it’s a regular trip. You can do this by checking our Daily Closure Report or visiting our Travel Updates page.

  • 08 February 2023

    Start of work

    We are starting work later this month to upgrade a six-mile section of motorway around the Almondsbury interchange, to further improve driver safety.

    The work, on the M4 between junction 19 for Bristol and where it meets the M5 at the Almondsbury interchange, and on the M5 to junction 17 at Cribbs Causeway, includes:

    • upgrading a 4-mile section of existing steel barrier to concrete in the central reservation of the M4 around Almondsbury interchange
    • building three new emergency areas on the M5
    • upgrading traffic signs to provide better information for drivers
    • drainage work
    • renewing lighting
    • additional CCTV cameras

    We’re planning to complete the work on both sections of motorway in winter 2023.

    Upcoming roadworks

    We will start our work on the section of the M4 junction 19 to 20 from Monday 27 February. Our first task will be getting the road ready to install narrow lanes so that we can complete the work safely.

    We’re planning to install the narrow lanes from 7 March 2023. We will carry out this work overnight with road closures and diversions in place, this should take about two weeks.

    On the M5 junction 16 to 17 at Almondsbury we plan to start preparing for narrow lanes and temporary traffic management installation towards the end of March. This will also be done overnight.

    We will start construction on both sections once the narrow lanes are in place. There will be a reduced speed limit of 50mph, temporary 24/7 roadworks CCTV monitoring and a free recovery service.

    Please note that all work may be subject to change due to unforeseen circumstances or poor weather conditions. Please check this webpage and our Twitter account before travelling for the latest information.

    You can find details of all full closures on our daily closures page.

See more updates

Project information

Overview

These enhancements have been developed as part of our work to upgrade older Dynamic Hard Shoulder (DHS) motorways to the latest safety standards.

As announced in the Government response to the Transport Committee recommendations, the conversion of DHS motorway to All Lane Running is being paused, while we consider alternative ways in which to operate the dynamic hard shoulder.

In the meantime, we'll be installing further safety measures for DHS motorways that are in operation, including upgrading the central reservation barrier, carrying out drainage improvements and constructing new emergency areas.

We are upgrading sections of the M4 and M5 central reservation barrier from steel to concrete, to improve the safety and reliability of journeys. The M5 will have three new emergency areas created, providing more places to stop in an emergency.

We’ll maintain capacity by installing 3 narrow lanes with a 50mph average speed restriction in place. Any other restrictions will be limited to overnight when traffic flows are lowest.

We’re coordinating closely with another National Highways project to refurbish two bridges at the junction 15 and 16 interchanges on the M5, sharing roadworks and resources to provide as smooth a journey for drivers as possible.

We are also providing an enhanced free recovery service to help any drivers who break down or are involved in an accident as quickly as possible and keep traffic moving for everyone else.

Despite these steps we expect that some delays are inevitable, especially at peak times. We will be encouraging drivers to plan their journeys to avoid these times if possible.

Please follow @HighwaysSWEST on Twitter for real time updates on traffic conditions or incidents.

Documents

Traffic information

Information about scheduled roadworks and events on our motorways and major roads.

Contact us

0300 123 5000

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