Drivers are warned that the M4 near Slough is to be closed this weekend in both directions between junction 5 (Langley) and junction 6 (Slough/Windsor).

The closure will operate from 8pm tonight (Friday) until 6am on Monday while the first bridge demolition of the smart motorway upgrade takes place.

Recreation Ground bridge is being demolished. The pedestrian and cycle bridge connecting Upton Court Road and the track to Upton Court Park with the main road between Datchet and Slough only has three lanes on each side of the motorway beneath.

This makes it incompatable with the new smart motorway design, so a new wider bridge is required.

Clearly signed diversions will be in place during the weekend closure and Highways England is advising drivers to plan their journeys in advance and to leave extra time.

Drivers wishing to access the area local to junctions 5 and 6 will be diverted via the A4 and the A355 through Slough. This diversion route has been agreed with local authorities and the emergency services and information signs will be in place across the region warning people of the closures.

To help manage traffic on the M4, the link road from the M25 junction 15 to the M4 junction 4b westbound will also be closed over the weekend. Traffic will be diverted as follows: · Drivers from the north heading for the M4 from the M25 will be diverted to the M40, using junctions 9 (A34), 4 (A404) or 2 (A355) to rejoin the M4.

· Drivers from the south heading for the M4 will be diverted via the M3 to re-join the M4 at junctions further west of the closure.

· From the west, drivers are advised to leave the M4 at junction 13 to redirect to the A34, or follow diversions from junctions 11 or 8/9.

· Drivers for Windsor can leave the M25 at junction 13 for the A308.

There are further full weekend closures of the motorway planned later this autumn, between junctions 6 and 8/9 over the weekends of November 15 to 18 and November 29 to December 2. Full details of these closures will be communicated nearer the time.