**Motorists Braced for Multiple M4 Closures and Restrictions Across South Wales This Week**
Travellers planning to use the M4 motorway for their journeys this week will face a series of closures and restrictions stretching across South Wales and into Gloucestershire, coinciding with the busy summer holiday period. Authorities have advised drivers to familiarise themselves with the latest information to minimise disruption as the region’s key route undergoes substantial maintenance and improvement works.
The closure schedule comes at a particularly busy time, as families and holidaymakers take advantage of the school break to visit friends, relatives, and popular destinations throughout Wales and beyond. Commuters are being strongly encouraged to plan ahead and consider potential delays in their travel plans.
Particularly notable this week is the implementation of a temporary weight limitation on the M48 Severn Bridge, linking Wales and England, due to continued maintenance works. Lorries exceeding 7.5 tonnes will not be permitted to cross the bridge in either direction, although buses and coaches are exempt from the restriction. This measure, affecting the stretch between junction 2 (A466 Wye Valley Link Road, Chepstow) and junction 1 (A403, Aust), will remain in effect until the end of May 2026. The restriction could significantly impact logistics companies and heavy goods traffic, prompting the need for alternative routes.
Moving west to Bridgend, motorists will encounter ongoing roadworks between junction 37 (A4229, Pyle/Porthcawl) and junction 38 (A48, Margam). Here, two lanes are closed in both directions, with temporary narrow lanes in effect. These works, part of essential improvement projects, are expected to persist until the end of November 2025. Traffic travelling through the busy South Wales corridor will likely experience congestion, particularly during peak hours.
Meanwhile, in Cardiff, lane closures are also in place on the eastbound side of the motorway. The works begin at junction 32 (A470 Northern Avenue, Coryton Interchange) and continue to junction 30 (A4232 Pentwyn Link Road, Cardiff Gate). Only a single lane remains open in this segment, making delays almost inevitable for drivers heading towards the city centre or further along the M4. According to the latest advisory, these roadworks are scheduled to continue until 6am on 21 August 2025.
The restrictions are not confined to the motorway network alone. Significant works are also taking place on the A470, one of Wales’ most crucial north-south road links. The southbound carriageway from Abercynon to Pontypridd is closed nightly for resurfacing between 8pm and 6am until 16 August 2025, with diversions in place for affected drivers. In addition, a full closure will be enforced on the section through Merthyr Tydfil overnight from 4 to 5 August.
This series of closures forms part of ongoing infrastructure investment across the Welsh transport network, aimed at maintaining and enhancing road safety and efficiency for all users. Local authorities have reiterated that while such improvements are essential, they inevitably come with inconvenience for road users, particularly during high-demand periods such as the summer months.
Officials are urging travellers to consult online traffic updates before setting out and to allow extra time to reach their destinations, especially if driving during rush hour or when using the affected sections. Those with flexible schedules are being advised to travel outside peak times where possible.
The disruption will be monitored and managed to minimise impact, with diversion routes signposted where necessary. Both commuters and companies relying on these key routes for deliveries are encouraged to remain alert to additional updates as works progress, given the potential for schedules to change in response to weather or operational challenges.
As these vital works continue across South Wales’ busiest highways, many hope the short-term pain will lead to long-term gain, delivering improved connectivity and safety for all who rely on the region’s transport arteries.