M4 Motorway: Part Of Road Reopened After Repairs

Part Of M4 Reopens: But Is This A Preview Of Traffic Chaos Before Olympics?

One of London's busiest motorways has been reopened in both directions between junctions 1 and 2, the Highways Agency said.

The M4, which is the main route from London to Heathrow Airport and the West of England, was closed between junctions 1 and 3 on Friday night for ongoing repair works to the Boston Manor Viaduct, just west of M4 junction 2.

The AA's head of public affairs Paul Watters has said the timing of the closure was "shocking" with less than a month to go until London 2012.

Three lanes of traffic filter into one on the M4 motorway which was closed in both directions between junctions 1 and 3

"It’s a close shave, the timing is shocking with the Olympics so close. I expect the Highways Agency are quite nervous about it. We just hope it is fixed by Thursday, because it is the most vital artery," he told the Daily Mail.

The motorway remains shut in both directions between junctions 2 and 3, and is expected to be closed for the next three days.

An empty M4 motorway after part of it was shut over the weekend

Drivers travelling into west London via the M4 today are advised to seek alternative routes via the M3 or M40.

London-bound traffic will be able to join the M4 at junction 2 and traffic heading out of London can stay on until junction 2, although there is a lane two closure in this direction.

The motorway was initially closed because Highways Agency staff discovered a crack in a highly stressed zone over bridge supports.

A spokesman said: "We expect the ongoing programme of repairs will be completed to enable the viaduct to operate in its full capacity in time for the London 2012 Olympic Games later this month.

"The closure is a sensible precaution, given the bridge's importance, both for people driving to and from west London and for the Games.

"The works are being carried out underneath the structure so the scale of the work is not visible from the M4 or from the local road network."

Diversion routes are in place on the adjacent dual carriageways, the A312 and the A4.

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