Plan ahead for M5 road closures

National Grid needs to install wires on a section of newly constructed T-pylons next to the M5, as part of its Hinkley Connection Project.

There will be full closures over five nights in April and June to protect residents, road users and people working on the project.

Closures will be in both directions between junctions 19 and 20 for all vehicles, and junctions 19 and 21 for HGVs.

Closures and times

• Tuesday 25, Wednesday 26 and Thursday 27 April (10pm-5am)

Both directions of M5 junction 19 and 20 for LGVs and 19-21 for HGVs

• Friday 12 May (10.30pm-1.30am)

M5 junction 18a in both directions for all traffic

• Monday 5 and Tuesday 6 June (10pm-5am)

Both directions of M5 junction 19 and 20 for LGVs and 19-21 for HGVs.

They have been planned for midweek and overnight when there is least traffic on the roads to minimise disruption and enable National Grid workers to continue construction of this nationally-significant electricity infrastructure.

We’ve worked with National Grid, National Highways and Bristol City Council to arrange these closures, and traffic management information will be regularly updated on National Grid’s website.

Full diversions will be in place during the closures.

Diversion routes

Northbound, the diversion will be in place for all vehicles from junction 21 along the A370 and the A4, re-joining the motorway at junction 18.

There will also be an additional diversion route for light vehicles only, from junction 20 at Clevedon along the B3130 and B3128 to the A370.

Southbound, the diversion will be in place for all vehicles from junction 18 along the A4 and A370, re-joining the motorway at junction 21.

An additional diversion route for light vehicles only will be in place from junction 19 along the A369 and B3128 to the A370.

On Friday 12 May there will be a standalone closure of all lanes on the junction 18a slip road at Avonmouth. This takes place between 10.30pm and 1.30am and is to remove the line of existing lattice pylons which cross over the motorway at this point.

Bristol’s Clean Air Zone charge will be lifted on the diversion routes while this work is taking place.

Local road closures

Three other local North Somerset roads are also being closed for longer periods to enable safe installation of the wires between the pylons.

Scaffolding will be in place where the wires cross over roads and controlled lifting systems will lift the wires into place.

• Tuesday 11 April – Sunday 18 June - Caswell Hill
• Wednesday 12 April – Sunday 7 May - Sheepway Road
• Monday 15 May – Friday 9 June - Causeway, Nailsea

Footpath and bridleway restrictions

Restrictions on footpaths and bridleways at Portbury Wharf Nature Reserve are currently in place due to National Grid’s Hinkley Connection Project.

The closures are allowing National Grid to install scaffolding and hang wires between the new T-pylons.

Until Friday 5 May, a section of footpath known locally as Partridge Way, the bridleway, and Seasonal Path are closed between 7.30am and 6pm each day.

However, the paths and bridleway will be reopened temporarily this weekend (Saturday 22 and Sunday 23 April).

For more information or if you have any questions, email hinkleyconnection@nationalgrid.com or call 0800 377 7347 (24-hour)