MOTORISTS in Somerset are being encouraged to plan ahead as crucial engineering works to enable a low carbon energy project take place on the M5 motorway near Bristol.

National Grid said motorists who travel in and around Somerset should allow extra time for journeys when crucial engineering works will cause overnight closures to two sections of the motorway 

Closures have been planned with National Highways, North Somerset Council, and Bristol City Council overnight to cause the least disruption.

The work is needed for part of the Hinkley Connection Project, which will deliver home grown low carbon energy to six million homes and businesses.

One of the new T pylons for the Hinkley Connection project.
One of the new T pylons for the Hinkley Connection project. (National Grid)

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 motoway will be closed between junctions 19 and 21 in both directions overnight on June 10 and 11, so that scaffolding needed for the works can be erected and then removed when the work is completed.

The closures have been planned for 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.

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.

The Hinkley Connection Project, which started in 2018, is a new high-voltage electricity connection between Bridgwater and Seabank, near Avonmouth, scheduled to be completed by the end of 2025.

It is a significant investment in the region’s electricity network and will enable National Grid to connect new sources of home grown low-carbon energy to homes and businesses, including Hinkley Point C.