NATIONAL HIGHWAYS is urging drivers to allow extra time for their journeys ahead of four overnight closures of the M5 between Gordano and Weston, which start next week.

The M5 will be fully closed overnight in both southbound and northbound directions between junctions 19 and 21 from 10pm to 6am on Monday, October 23 until Thursday, October 26.

This is to enable resurfacing work to be carried out. By working at night, it is hoped that disruption will be kept to a minimum.

A survey will also be taken to inform design work for a bridge refurbishment scheme programmed near junction 21 next year.
 
As part of the night closures, southbound HGV traffic will be diverted via the A4 and A370 from junction 18 before it rejoins the M5 at junction 21.

Cars and lighter vehicles will be diverted via junctions 19 and 21, using the A369 and A370 during the closures, and local traffic will still be able to make journeys across the junctions.

Bristol City Council will be removing its Clean Air Zone (CAZ) charge for the signed diversion routes along the A4, Portway and Brunel Way.

Whilst zone charges will not apply when the signed diversion route is followed, CAZ charges will apply on all other roads within Bristol’s Clean Air Zone, where vehicles don’t meet the zone’s emission standards.

Advance notice of the work has been communicated to local businesses.

Heather Lang, National Highways’ head of Scheme Delivery for the South West, said: “We appreciate roadworks can be frustrating but we’re keeping the closures to an absolute minimum and when traffic flows will be at their lowest, and we’ve been liaising with Bristol City Council to ensure CAZ exemptions along the diversion route.

“We need to employ the full overnight closures in order to carry out both pieces of work along this section, and we have communicated the work to businesses and local communities.

“We advise people to plan ahead and allow extra time for their journeys, and in the meantime we thank all drivers in advance for their co-operation and patience while we carry out these essential works.”