http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-18823897

The main M4 motorway link between central London and Heathrow Airport
has reopened in both directions.

The motorway had been closed between junctions two and three in west
London since last Friday after a crack was found in the Boston Manor
viaduct.

It was shut by the Highways Agency following the discovery in a
"sensitive area" of the road structure.

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-18823897

In message , at 11:11:41 on
Fri, 13 Jul 2012, Bruce remarked:
http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-18823897

The main M4 motorway link between central London and Heathrow Airport
has reopened in both directions.

Only for cars, not even vans up to 7.5 tons, it seems.

Spin is alive and well...
--
Roland Perry

"Roland Perry" wrote in message
...
In message , at 11:11:41 on
Fri, 13 Jul 2012, Bruce remarked:
http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-18823897

The main M4 motorway link between central London and Heathrow Airport
has reopened in both directions.

Only for cars, not even vans up to 7.5 tons, it seems.

Spin is alive and well...


At least that puts it back to the situation that has prevailed for the last
few months. AIUI the repairs that have been going on since April (I think)
were intended to allow the weight limit to be removed in time for the
Olympics.

--
DAS

"D A Stocks" wrote in message
...

At least that puts it back to the situation that has prevailed for the
last few months. AIUI the repairs that have been going on since April (I
think) were intended to allow the weight limit to be removed in time for
the Olympics.

I thought the repairs were mainly to avoid CJB going round in ever
decreasing circles over the weekend and exploding on Monday?

Paul S

In message , at 18:33:03 on Fri, 13 Jul
2012, D A Stocks remarked:
http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-18823897

The main M4 motorway link between central London and Heathrow Airport
has reopened in both directions.

Only for cars, not even vans up to 7.5 tons, it seems.

Spin is alive and well...

At least that puts it back to the situation that has prevailed for the
last few months. AIUI the repairs that have been going on since April
(I think) were intended to allow the weight limit to be removed in time
for the Olympics.

So the question is... have the repairs finished for now, and will there
still be a [very low] weight limit until after the Olympics (at which
point it'll close for yet more repairs).

Seems consistent with the earlier doubt about the ability to repair it
before next week, followed by the sudden opening, that someone moved the
goalposts and said "get it open *now* but only for cars".
--
Roland Perry

"Roland Perry" wrote in message
...


So the question is... have the repairs finished for now,
No.

and will there still be a [very low] weight limit until after the Olympics
(at which point it'll close for yet more repairs).
It's been subject to overnight closures for a few months now and I imagine
that situation will continue until repairs are complete.


Seems consistent with the earlier doubt about the ability to repair it
before next week, followed by the sudden opening,

Hardly "sudden": it was 24 hours later than the original estimate, and I see
no reason to doubt the various press releases. The continuing weight
restriction is a fairly minor inconvenience, although if it means they
decide to slap additional white paint onto the A4 instead of the M4 it could
spoil my journey to work on Monday morning.

--
DAS

In message , at 20:28:57 on Fri, 13 Jul
2012, D A Stocks remarked:

Seems consistent with the earlier doubt about the ability to repair
it before next week, followed by the sudden opening,

Hardly "sudden": it was 24 hours later than the original estimate,

The estimate on Thursday evening was it might re-open by Monday. Then
this morning it was "suddenly" open.

eg Here's what the Independent wrote yesterday:

Downing Street said it was exploring of range of back-up plan
options to put in place if the motorway is still closed on
Monday when athletes and officials begin to arrive, but refused
to say if they included opening a single lane for Olympic
traffic or using the Heathrow Express.

David Cameron is receiving regular progress updates and Highways
Agency officials have again said they expect work to be
completed in the "next few days".

& The Metro, yesterday:

"The M4 motorway has remained closed as repair work continues on
a cracked flyover - with the Highways Agency warning it could
remain shut into next week."

"A Highways Agency spokesman said that an alternative route
would be planned along the A4 if the motorway was not re-opened
by [Monday]."

and I see no reason to doubt the various press releases. The continuing
weight restriction

7.5tons, or something lower?

is a fairly minor inconvenience, although if it means they decide to
slap additional white paint onto the A4 instead of the M4 it could
spoil my journey to work on Monday morning.

--
Roland Perry

Roland Perry wrote on 13 July 2012 13:50:47 ...
In message , at 11:11:41 on
Fri, 13 Jul 2012, Bruce remarked:
http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-18823897

The main M4 motorway link between central London and Heathrow Airport
has reopened in both directions.

Only for cars, not even vans up to 7.5 tons, it seems.

According to the Highways Agency site, it is still a 7.5 tonne weight
limit as before. You may have been reading more into the mention of
"cars" in an earlier press release than was intended.
--
Richard J.
(to email me, swap 'uk' and 'yon' in address)

Roland Perry wrote:

In message , at 18:33:03 on Fri, 13 Jul
2012, D A Stocks remarked:
http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-18823897

The main M4 motorway link between central London and Heathrow Airport
has reopened in both directions.

Only for cars, not even vans up to 7.5 tons, it seems.

Spin is alive and well...

At least that puts it back to the situation that has prevailed for the
last few months. AIUI the repairs that have been going on since April
(I think) were intended to allow the weight limit to be removed in time
for the Olympics.

So the question is... have the repairs finished for now, and will there
still be a [very low] weight limit until after the Olympics (at which
point it'll close for yet more repairs).

Seems consistent with the earlier doubt about the ability to repair it
before next week, followed by the sudden opening, that someone moved the
goalposts and said "get it open *now* but only for cars".


According to the Evening Standard, it is open for vehicles up to 7.5
tonnes*. That will allow coaches but not LGVs (large goods vehicles).
So coaches carrying athletes should be fine, but LGVs carrying their
equipment will not.

Is it not the case that the various teams have their pre-Olympics
bases scattered all over southern England and the Midlands (I know
that the Jamaican team is based in Birmingham)?

If so, not all of the LGVs carrying equipment would need to use the
eastbound M4 into London.

*article he
http://www.standard.co.uk/news/m4-opens-to-bring-in-athletes-but-lorries-are-still-banned-7941175.html

"Bruce" wrote in message
...

Is it not the case that the various teams have their pre-Olympics
bases scattered all over southern England and the Midlands (I know
that the Jamaican team is based in Birmingham)?

I hinted at this in another thread a few days ago - (regarding the
Paddington 'shenanigans'). Also, why won't incoming charters land at the
nearest airport to their training camp - eg the USA flying directly to
Birmingham?

Paul