Work has begun on a month-long series of overnight closures on the M4 eastbound between junctions 16 and 15, affecting drivers travelling from Swindon towards London.
National Highways confirmed that the eastbound carriageway and slip road at junction 16 will be closed nightly from to allow resurfacing work and the delivery of steel beams for the new Badminton Road Bridge.
The closures began earlier this week and are expected to continue until Tuesday, November 11.
A diversion route is in place, directing traffic via other M4 junctions and local roads.
However, the timings of the closure are not what was originally advertised by National Highways and are, in fact, tweaked on individual days depending on how busy they are.
A National Highways spokesman told the Swindon Advertiser that it was based on traffic modelling and the times it would close would vary each day of the week.
"Based on our modelling and anticipated traffic flows through the week, it’s 8pm-6am on Mondays and Tuesdays, 8.30pm-6am on Wednesdays and 9pm-6am on Thursday and Fridays."
Speaking previously, National Highways said: “Traffic will be diverted via junctions of the M4 and local roads. The closures will not apply to emergency services or works vehicles, and diversion routes will be clearly indicated by traffic signs throughout the works period.”
Swindon Borough Council issued a public notice confirming that the programme forms part of wider improvement works along the motorway corridor.
Drivers are also being warned of an additional weekend closure later this month.
The M4 will be shut in both directions between junctions 18 (Bath) and 19 (M32 for Bristol) from 7pm on Friday, October 24 until 6am on Monday, October 27, to allow further maintenance works to take place.
Motorists are being advised to plan ahead and allow extra time for their journeys during the period of disruption.
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