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M4 to stay shut for 'considerable' time for repairs

Curtis LancasterSouth of England
BBC A picture of the pylon and a fallen tree, close to the motorway, with its blue sign visible.BBC
The motorway, which runs close to the pylon, remains shut

The M4 will remain closed in both directions for a "considerable period" in Berkshire after an oak tree fell onto the base of an electricity pylon, according to National Highways.

The road was first closed between junction 10, near Wokingham, and junction 11, near Reading, on Wednesday morning.

National Highways said it had no timetable for when the work by Scottish and Southern Electricity Networks (SSEN) would finish

It also said diversions were in place for traffic travelling in both directions.

Ross Easton, from SSEN, said engineers would do complex work throughout Wednesday night and potentially Thursday morning to make the critical repairs to the pylon, which would require a crane.

A fallen tree lying against the base of an electricity pylon close the M4 motorway in Berkshire, with a worker pictured bent to the right of the picture.
The "urgent repair" was needed with strong winds forecast later on Wednesday

Easton said there would be no impact on power supplies during the work.

Drivers travelling westbound are advised to leave the M4 at junction 10 and join the A329(M) towards Reading, while those heading eastbound should exit at junction 11 and follow the B3270 Lower Earley Way.

A National Highways spokesperson added: "There are expected to be long delays also on local roads in the area of the closure."

The latest closure comes a day after the route was shut westbound after a car crash following a police chase.

There is no connection between the two road closures.

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