A major UK motorway used by 130,00 drivers will shut this week in both directions, inflicting travel chaos on motorists.

The M4 will be closed in both directions between junctions 18 and 19, north of Bristol, from 7pm on Friday, October 18 until 6am on Monday, October 21.

The stretch of road will be closed due to maintenance work on the A432 Badminton Road Bridge

Used by 3,000 to 4,000 vehicles every hour over peak weekend periods, this is one of the busiest sections of motorway in the South West, with it linking London and south Wales.

Although a diversion route will be in place drivers are being advised to avoid the area, if possible, while the work is completed. 

National Highways route manager Sean Walsh said: “We carefully plan our schemes to limit any inconvenience, but sometimes it’s not possible to carry out the work that’s needed without a closure. 

“Our message for anyone who plans to travel on the M4 around Bristol is to avoid the area if you can – if that’s not possible, allow yourself plenty of extra time to complete your journey via our signed diversion routes and expect delays.”

In July 2023, a planned structural investigation revealed accelerated deterioration and cracking to the southeast underside of the structure and the bridge was closed to traffic and it will be demolished next year.

If the planned work isn’t completed within the given timeframe, drivers will face further M4 closures. These will take place from 7pm, between on October 25 to 6am on October 28.

But that isn’t all the transport chaos as stretches of the M5 have already closed and a large maintenance programme is now underway.

National Highways is conducting “essential repairs” to the concrete layer on which the carriageway sits. 

This requires the surface layers to be stripped off – and replaced afterwards. Sections of the M5 will need to be closed fully in both directions at different times. Diversions will be put in place where possible.

The M5 repairs, which began last month, will continue across the next six months, over several rounds.