‘Adjustments’ made to fix confusing signage during major works at M4 Theale interchange

Signage has been now changed after confusing drivers at a busy junction.

Major works have been taking place at the M4 Theale interchange (Junction 12) for several months to “maintain the structural integrity of both bridges”, with overnight closures planned until the end of March.

The interchange has temporarily been reduced to two lanes on the east side.

But the signage and lane markings in place until now have resulted in confusion and drivers cutting across lanes, Newburytoday understands.

When questioned by Newburytoday about the risk posed to road users on Sunday (February 2), National Highways responded: “We can advise that we have taken on board your comments and we are making some adjustments to the signs to hopefully make it clearer to road users.”

Newburytoday understands adjustments have since been made to make the signage clearer.

The previous signage showed the first lane as leading to the M4 towards London, while the second and third lanes led to the A4.

But when the second and third lanes went on to the bridge, the lane markings took the first lane (the second lane approaching the junction) to the A4 and the second lane (the third lane approaching the junction) to the M4, leading some drivers to cut across two lanes to reach the A4 exit.

Some would argue the confusion has already caused too many close calls.

Sam Cowen, from Theale, told Newburytoday how the lane changes affected him. “If you drive it every day, you know what lane to get in,” he said.

“But if you drive that for the first time, you’ll be in the wrong lane no matter what.

“We were following in that left lane to go on to the M4, but a lorry on the right lane assumed, because of the signs, he could go on the M4 in that lane, which obviously he couldn’t.

“He then came across and hadn’t seen me and I had to slam on my brakes to let him through. I’m surprised there’s not been more collisions.”

It begs the question, why have these issues taken so long to fix?

Signage and lanes merging caused similar problems when works were taking place at the opposite side of the junction before Christmas – until more signage was added further back from the junction.

READ MORE about the planned overnight closures and diversions

Newburytoday is waiting to hear from National Highways about how it planned and risk assessed the signage and lane markings before starting the works.