A SECTION of the M4 near Swindon will be closed at the weekend as a new bridge is lifted into place.

The bridge will be lifted into place at South Leaze between Junction 15 and 16 The motorway will be closed in both directions and traffic diverted from 19:00 hours on Saturday 16 and reopen by 10:00 hours on Sunday 17 May.

Another new bridge will be lifted into place at Spittleborough, just to the west of Junction 16 between 19.00 hours on Saturday 30 May and 10.00am on Sunday 31 May.

During this time the motorway will be closed in both directions between Junctions 16 and 17 and traffic diverted.

Highways Agency project manager Dave Frampton said: "The new bridges replace previous structures built in the early 1970s which had reached the end of the working lives.

"The closures will take place overnight at weekends when traffic flows are lowest."