CLOSURES, contraflows and lane restrictions lie ahead for drivers using Junction 16 of the M4.

Swindon Borough Council has said that over the next few weeks, a large proportion of the roundabout will be resurfaced and, in order to keep the junction open and maintain "a safe working zone", the junction will be closed in sections to allow the work to be carried out.

The overnight work begins on Monday and will take place between 8pm and 6am up until the Easter weekend of Thursday, March 29. The work will restart on Tuesday, April 3 and run until Saturday, April 7.

Large digital signs have been placed on the three main approaches to the roundabout and drivers are asked to remain vigilant to the temporary changes in the road layout, as contraflows will be in operation to allow the various sections of the junction to be resurfaced. Diversion signs will also be put up to help drivers.

Members of the public are advised to refer to these details before setting off on their journeys during this time.

Coun Mary Martin, Swindon Borough Council’s cabinet member for Communities and Place, said: “We are entering the final stretch as far as these improvements are concerned, but that means there will be a certain amount of disruption and inconvenience to motorists while these works are carried out.

“We have tried to minimise congestion as much as we can by carrying out the major resurfacing at night and I would just ask drivers to leave a little bit of extra time for their journeys but to also approach the junction with caution over the next few weeks, keeping an eye on the digital signage, as the layout is likely to be very different to what they are used to.”

The roadworks being carried out are as follows:

Pre-Easter overnight works from 8pm to 6am, Monday, March 19 until Thursday, March 29 inclusive:

• Traffic in contraflow from Great Western Way onto the west side of the Junction 16 roundabout and A3102.

• Frankland Road junction with Great Western Way will be closed and local traffic will be diverted via Frankland Road, Ramsden Road and Blagrove roundabout back to Great Western Way.

• The M4 eastbound entry slip road will be closed and traffic will be diverted across Junction 16 and onto the A3102 towards Royal Wootton Bassett. At the first island, traffic will be turned around and returned back along the A3102 to join the M4 westbound. At Junction 17, exit the M4 and then return eastbound on the M4.

• The M4 westbound exit slip road will be closed. Traffic will be directed to continue onto Junction 17 to exit and return eastbound on the M4.

• Hay Lane will be closed southbound (northbound open) and through traffic will be diverted into Swindon and back to Hay Lane via the A3102, B4006, B4289 and A4289, before joining Redpost Drive, Peglars Way, Mill Lane and Wharf Road.

No works are planned from Friday, 30 March to Monday, 2 April inclusive.

Post Easter overnight works from 8pm to 6am, Tuesday, 3 April to Thursday, 5 April inclusive:

• Traffic in contraflow on the east side of Junction 16 roundabout and temporary three-way traffic signals will be in place to control traffic.

• The M4 westbound entry slip road will be closed and traffic will be diverted across Junction 16, down Great Western Way to Blagrove roundabout and back up to Junction 16 to join the M4 eastbound. Traffic will exit the M4 at Junction 15 and return westbound.

• The M4 eastbound exit slip road will be closed and traffic will be diverted to Junction 15 and then returned along the M4 to exit at Junction 16.

• From Royal Wootton Bassett or Hay Lane to M4 eastbound slip road, traffic will be diverted down Great Western Way to the Blagrove roundabout and back up to Junction 16 to join the M4.

• From Hay Lane to Great Western Way, traffic will be diverted onto the A3102 towards Royal Wootton Bassett. At the first island, traffic will be returned back along the A3102 and onto Junction 16.

Inclusive overnight works from 8pm to 6am, Friday, 6 April to Saturday, 7 April inclusive:

• Full closure of the A3102 for remaining surfacing and lining

Further details about the scheme can be found at: www.swindon.gov.uk/junction16

Regular updates on the project can be found via the council’s Highways News e-newsletter. To subscribe visit: www.swindon.gov.uk/newsletter