Concerns over M4 Smart Motorway construction

Concerns have been raised by Bray Parish Council over the noise and disruption that will be caused by the construction of the M4 Smart Motorway.

A planning application has been submitted to the Royal Borough for a compound with new access off Ascot Road which will be used as the main construction compound for the motorway scheme.

This will see 32 miles of the M4 between Junction 3 (Hayes) and Junction 12 (Theale) converted into a ‘smart motorway’ which includes turning the hard shoulder into an additional lane and the installation of new technology on the motorway which will help keep traffic flowing and tackle congestion.

The compound will be built on land between the M4 and the A308 (N) and will include a main office and several small construction compounds which will accept the delivery of materials, as well as including space for the accommodation of 250 staff.

Temporary permission is requested for up to six years and three months, while the smart motorway is built.

Cllr Ken Elvin, (Ind, Bray) chairman of Bray Parish Council, is concerned about the impact this will have in the surrounding villages.

He said: “There will be a lot of disruption during the construction and the work will cause additional noise for nearby residents.

“There’s a lot of work going on in Maidenhead town centre and there are houses being built in Bracknell.

“We’re worried during the build that people will drive through the villages due to disruptions on the motorway.

“There needs to be measures in place with the Highways Agency and RBWM beforehand.”

The application was called in by Cllr David Coppinger (Con, Holyport).

Cllr Philip Bicknell (Con, Park), Royal Borough cabinet member for highways, said: “Obviously we want to be

minimising disruption for residents as much as

possible, bearing in mind that the motorway needs to be expanded.

“Cllr Coppinger was right to call in this application so it can be discussed in the open.

“We can look at conditions which will limit when the work will be able to take place.”

A decision is expected to be made by Tuesday, October 4.

Visit www.rbwm.gov.uk to view the application in full.