M50 closed for maintenance work (From Hereford Times)

M50 closed for maintenance work

4:26pm Friday 13th July 2012 in Ledbury By Paul Rogers

THE M50 is to be closed in both directions near Ledbury this weekend due to maintenance work.

Eastbound from junction two to one and westbound from M5 junction eight to M50 junction two will be shut from 8pm tonight and 6am Monday morning.

The Highways Agency has said that it is due to on-going maintenance work on Pendock Sledge Green and Queens Arms overbridges.

A further overnight closure may be required on Monday between 8pm and 6am depending on how work progresses and weather conditions experienced over the weekend.

Diversion routes will be clearly signposted.

Traffic travelling westbound should leave the M5 at Junction 11 and take the A40 westbound, then the A417 north to M50 Junction 2.

The same would apply in reverse for eastbound traffic.

Highways Agency project sponsor Matthew Taylor said: “We thank road users for their continued co-operation while we undertake these essential repairs, as we appreciate that these closures will cause some disruption for road users.

“A diversion route will be clearly signposted and we will be using the electronic motorway message boards on the approaching motorways to advise drivers of the closure well in advance.”

Work to be undertaken while these closures are in place includes moving traffic management and dismantling and re-erecting two scaffolds being used in the £2.5million bridge strengthening works, which should be completed by October this year.