Work begins to refurbish the M4 at Chieveley

Work to refurbish the motorway between the Welford Viaduct and the Chieveley Interchange began on Monday and is expected to be completed by September as part of a two-phase £14m scheme.
The started works will bring overnight closures, narrowed lanes and a 50mph speed limit brought into force between junctions 12 (Theale) and 14 (Hungerford) from 9pm and 6am.
The first phase, which will include waterproofing, resurfacing of the hard shoulders and construction of crossovers on the central reserve in preparation for contraflow traffic management, is expected to be completed in March.
Also this week, the westbound carriageway of the M4 will be closed overnight, between 10pm and 6am, from Tuesday 6 January until Wednesday 28 January (Monday to Friday nights only). A clearly signed diversion will be in place via the A4.
The hard shoulders will be closed in both directions 24 hours a day between junctions 13 and 14 because of drainage work, with overnight lane closures between 10pm and 6am, until February (Monday to Friday only).
lane closures will be in place on both carriageways of the M4 between junctions 11 and 12 (Reading and Theale) while barrier repairs are carried out.
The closures will be in effect from 10pm until 6am for six weeks, Mondays to Fridays
However, this is just a precursor for occasional, full weekend closures of the Chieveley interchange and the M4 between the exit and entry slip roads at junction 13.
The Highways Agency says that large cranes will sit across all three lanes of the motorway, therefore the M4 will be closed at night due to the risk that the beams may rotate in high winds.
Closures of the roundabout beneath the bridges over full weekend periods will also be required due to the high risk of debris falling onto the carriageway below.
The dates of the weekend closures are yet to be announced but will be in place between 10pm on Fridays and 6am on Mondays.
A 24 hour contraflow system and a 50mph speed limit will remain in place from phase one. The second phase is expected to begin in April and be completed by September 2015.
The Highways Agency says that it expects significant delays during the weekend closures at Chieveley and is advising motorists to avoid the area or to allow extra times for journeys.