Crucial motorway used by 130,000 Brits per day is hit by string of closures THIS WEEK – check full diversion routes

A MOTORWAY used by hundreds of thousands of Brits each day has been pummelled by a string of closures.

Drivers will be frustrated to discover that the M4 will be hit by multiple closures as carriageway maintenance comes into effect.

The string of closures will inconvenience motorists from today until the end of the week.

M4 westbound

J25 Caerleon to J26 Malpas. Carriageway maintenance. Tunnel closed.

Diversions in place between 8pm on February 12 and 6am on February 13.

M4 eastbound

The tunnel from J26 Malpas to J25A Grove Park is closed thanks to carriageway maintenance.

Diversions in place between 8pm on February 13 and 6am on February 14.

M4 westbound

The J45 at Ynysforgan has an entry slip road closed due to carriageway maintenance.

Diversions in place between 8pm on February 11 and 6am on February 12.

A470 northbound

Abercynon to Pentrebach is closed because of roadworks.

Diversions in place between 8pm on and 6am every night until February 17 (no Saturday and Sunday works).

A470 northbound

The road from Abercynon to Merthyr Tydfil is closed due to resurfacing work.

Diversions in place between 8pm and 6am until February 15.

A470 southbound

The Abercynon to Bridge Street interchange is closed due to carriageway maintenance.

Diversions in place between 8pm on February 10 and 6pm on February 11.

A470 both directions

Roadworks are causing delays at the Abercynon Roundabout.

There will be temporary traffic lights between 8pm and 6am until June 13.

This comes as drivers across the country are bracing for a hefty tax hike that's coming in a matter of months.

Vehicle Excise Duty, or VED, is rising in April and will heavily impact motorists who own petrol and diesel vehicles.

Indeed, first-year rates have doubled for buyers of many new models - a measure that will further widen the gap between fully electric and internal-combustion engines.

Van owners are set to be among the most affected by the new VED rates based on emissions.

Tom Banks of Go Compare, however, suggested there are some methods road users can employ to lessen the financial strain by April.

Firstly, perhaps the most straightforward way is simply by switching to a cleaner model to save money - although cutting back on costs elsewhere is another way around the price hikes.

Tom said: “If you can’t buy a suitable hybrid or electric van, you could opt for a ‘nearly new’ one instead.

“This allows you to enjoy a vehicle that’s virtually as good as new without breaking the bank and means you can dodge the increased tax.

“Failing this, see if there are any other ways you can reduce your motoring expenses to counteract the higher tax.

“Comparing van insurance policies might help you find a provider offering the same amount of protection for less, and finding new ways to maximise your fuel economy could help to cut costs further.”

Elsewhere, a hugely popular brand has slashed the price of two models by thousands after a drop in sales last year.

The Fiat 600e Crossover and its Abarth 500e Hot Hatch stablemate are now going for a bargain price.