MOTORISTS should be aware that the M4 north of Bristol will be closed for a full weekend later this month as part of the work on the A432 Badminton Road Bridge takes place.
National Highways say the M4 will be closed in both directions between junctions 18 and 19 from 7pm on Friday 18th October to 6am Monday 21st October. The closure is in order to dig a trench under the motorway ahead of the bridge being demolished next year.
National Highways has said the closure is likely to cause 'substantial disruption' with approximately 4,000 vehicles using that section of the M4 every hour over peak weekend periods. With that in mind, motorists are being asked to avoid the area and plan alternative routes in advance.
National Highways route manager Sean Walsh said, “This is one of the busiest sections of motorway in the South West which is why we are giving drivers as much notice as possible so they’re able to plan their journeys well in advance.
“We carefully plan our schemes to limit any inconvenience, but sometimes it's not possible to carry out the work that's needed without a closure. Our message for anyone who plans to travel on the M4 around Bristol is to avoid the area if you can – if that's not possible, allow yourself plenty of extra time to complete your journey via our signed diversion routes and expect delays.”
Constructed in 1966, the Badminton Road bridge is a concrete post tensioned structure. In July 2023, a planned detailed structural investigation revealed accelerated deterioration and cracking to the southeast underside of the structure and the bridge was closed to traffic.
Work is now underway to demolish and replace the bridge and is due to be completed by spring 2026. The M4 closure has been carefully planned to happen while National Highways work on the A36 Warminster Road at Limpley Stoke has been paused to allow Wiltshire Council to undertake work on the A350. Image South Gloucestershire Council
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