Government pledges to widen M4 motorway

Published: 01 July 2013
By Chris Haycock

The proposals to widen the motorway are part of the biggest programme of government investment in the road network since the 1970's. A 31-mile stretch of the M4 motorway could see it being extended to four lanes between Junction 12 at Theale and the A312 near Heathrow Airport. The pledge to widen the motorway will be subject to economic conditions and feasibility tests, and is part of a package of more than £70 billion earmarked for transport. The plans will see annual investment in major road schemes treble in the period 2020-2021. Alok Sharma, MP for Reading West has welcomed the proposal, saying, "I am absolutely delighted to welcome the commitment by the Conservative-led government to widen the M4 between Reading and London which, as most Reading motorists will know, is one of the most congested parts of the motorway network in the country."