As part of the Hinkley Connection Project, which will deliver home grown low-carbon energy to six million homes and businesses, wires need to be installed on a section of the newly constructed T-pylons next to the M5 and lowered and removed from existing pylons.
To protect residents, road users and people working on the project, the M5 will be closed between junctions 19 and 21 in both directions overnight for three nights in April and two nights in June, so that scaffolding needed for the works can be erected and then removed when the work is completed. The closures have been planned for midweek and overnight when there is least traffic.
Northbound, there will be a full diversion route in place from J21 for all vehicles along the A370 and the A4 to re-join the motorway at J18. There is an additional diversion route for light vehicles only from Clevedon along the B3130 and B3128 to the A370.
Southbound, there will be a full diversion route in place from J18 for all vehicles along the A4 and A370 to re-join the motorway at J21. There is an additional diversion route for light vehicles only from J19 along the A369 and B3128 to the A370.
Overnight on Friday, 12 May, there will also be a closure of all carriageways on the junction 18a slip road of the M5 at Avonmouth. This is to enable lowering and recovery of ropes used during the dismantling and removal of the existing 132kV wires in the area, between Portishead substation and Avonmouth substation.
Bristol City Council has confirmed its Clean Air Zone charge will be lifted on the diversion routes while this work to help connect low carbon energy to homes and businesses takes place.
| Date of overnight closures | Time of closure | Location of closure |
| Tuesday 25 April Wednesday 26 April Thursday 27 April |
10pm to 5am | M5 Junction 19 to 21 in both directions |
| Friday 12 May | 10pm to 2am | M5 Junction 18a slip road in both directions |
| Monday 5 June Tuesday 6 June |
10pm to 5am | M5 Junction 19 to 21 in both directions |
Additional road closures with full diversions in the area during this period are:
| Date of closure | Time of closure | Location of closure |
| Tuesday 11 April – Sunday 18 June | Full closure | Caswell Hill |
| Wednesday 12 April – Sunday 7 May | Full closure | Sheepway Road |
| Monday 15 May – Friday 9 June | Full closure | Causeway, Nailsea |
Aden Precious, Project Manager for overhead lines on National Grid’s Hinkley Connection Project said: “These closures are important to ensure the safety of all road users and our workers as we continue our work to construct this crucial, nationally significant low-carbon electricity infrastructure. We work closely with National Highways and local authorities to do all we can to minimise disruption and have planned these closures overnight when there is least traffic on the roads. We apologise for any inconvenience and longer journey times during these periods.”
