The Highways Agency (HA) has missed its self-set target to reopen the M4 in central London today, threatening travel chaos for operators as the Olympic build-up begins in earnest this weekend.
In a statement, the HA confirms work to fix a crack within the fabric of the Boston Manor Viaduct, which has seen the M4 closed between junction 2 and 3 since last weekend, is underway and predicts the road will be reopened “within the next few days”.
The HA is advising the use of the M3 and M40 while the M4, one of the main routes from Heathrow Airport into central London, remains closed.
Transport for London (TfL), which is managing the Olympic Route Network for the Games, had already been warning motorists to avoid central London from this weekend (14-15 July), as officials and athletes are expected to begin arriving in the capital en masse ahead of the start of the competition on 27 July.
TfL was planning to switch on the M4 Games Lane (the old bus lane) from 15 July to speed the Olympic family on their way, but this option is currently in doubt. Operators are recommended to sign up to freight@tfl.gov.uk to receive regular emails and live traffic news can be found at www.tfl.gov.uk/trafficnews
Earlier in the week Labour criticised the HA for its handling of the M4 closure.