Motorway closure to repair damaged powerline

The M4 motorway will close next month to allow for repairs to a damaged electricity tower.

The road will be inaccessible between junctions 10 and 11 from 21:00 on Friday, 18 September to 06:00 BST on Monday, 21 September.

In February, a fallen tree badly damaged a tower in Winnersh in Berkshire. The line was immediately switched off, and the network was re-routed.

Jo Niven, from Scottish and Southern Electricity Networks Distribution, said it wanted to give people who used the motorway "ample time to plan" alternative routes.

A replacement tower has been installed in Winnersh in July, and the final stage of the work involves running new high-voltage wires across the M4.

The company said it had tried to avoid the main holiday season and significant summer events, but the need to restore the network had been "a pressing one".

It said owing to the nature of the "delicate" work, carrying it out overnight had been ruled out.

The main advisory diversion route would be A329(M) and the B3270, and journey times could be affected, the firm said.

It also said to "expect all other roads in the area to be busier than normal".

Hatch Farm Way in Winnersh would also be closed over the same weekend, as it runs beside the M4 at the point where the new wires are being suspended.

Jo Niven said: "I'd like to thank everyone for their patience and understanding while we finalise preparations for this complex, final part of the project.

"I'd also like to apologise to residents in the area of Winnersh near to the affected electricity tower for the temporary disruption."