A-road bridge closure over M4 to last until at least Christmas

Traffic chaos from the closure of a bridge over the M4 will last until at least the end of the year. National Highways closed the A432 Badminton Road overbridge on the main road between Bristol and Yate[1] earlier this month after finding “accelerated deterioration and cracking” to the south-east underside of the structure, which was built in 1966.

Diversions have been put in place[2] while detailed investigation work goes ahead but long queues and delays have been reported by frustrated drivers. South Gloucestershire Council[3], which looks after the local road network but not the bridge itself, says it is monitoring and reviewing the situation daily and is already planning what it needs to do when schools return in September, with the influx of parents and teachers on the roads.

In an update on Friday, July 21, National Highways, which maintains the bridge, said nighttime lane closures on the motorway were now in place for the inspections but that the earliest the A432 could reopen would be December. A spokesperson said: “We have made the decision to close the structure as this will limit any further damage whilst we undertake detailed investigations into the nature and extent of the defects and assess their impact on the structure.

“The structural investigations are detailed and specialist, and works are being undertaken by specialist contractors. The works involve identifying potential defects using digital scanning and then drilling into the structure to check the condition of the post-tensioning system using a range of techniques.

“We are currently working on the underside of the structure at night under lane closures on the M4 and are looking to accelerate the topside works, before assessing the data and looking at all available options for the future of the structure. The further investigation works and assessment of the structure's condition will take time to complete during which the structure will remain closed to all vehicular traffic.

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“The earliest that a decision can be made regarding future restrictions is likely to be December 2023.” In a written reply to a question from opposition Conservative group leader[6] Cllr Sam Bromiley at a full council meeting on Wednesday, July 19, South Gloucestershire Council[7] leader Lib Dem Cllr Claire Young said the authority’s priority was to minimise disruption.

She said: “Daily, through the morning and evening peak, officers have been deployed on site at strategic junctions to monitor usage and queueing. The team meets daily to discuss observations and has started to consider what mitigations are required now and in September when schools return after the summer break.”

Cllr Young said action may need to be taken at three pinch points – Coalsack Lane/Ruffet Road, Henfield crossroads and the A46/Codrington Road junction, the last of which will have temporary signals installed, while options are being developed for the other two locations. Cllr Bromiley asked her at the meeting: “What work have officers done to ensure that planned roadworks on the diversion routes are not going to add to the chaos that we may already see?

“What assurances will you give communities that HGVs will not use non-diversion routes to access their destination, in particular roads around Old Sodbury? Previously when issues were identified with the Bromley Heath viaduct on the A4174 the then-Conservative administration held town meetings to talk to residents about the disruption, gather feedback and communicate the latest news.

“The number of press releases issued on this bridge is zero, other than a quick announcement and a number of posts published on the council’s Facebook[8] page, the last one being five days ago. Do you feel this is an acceptable attempt at informing the public?”

Cllr Young replied: “This is an important issue for our residents. With regard to roadworks, yes, we’ve been having daily briefings and they are reviewing this.

“The plan is to review all the planned roadworks and not carry out those which [don’t have to be] carried out. Obviously with things like emergencies for utilities they will have to go ahead.

“We finished the Church Road resurfacing work which was already underway.” She said officers had been out on the ground to check HGV movements and were considering other measures.

Cllr Young said: “The differences between this and the Bromley Heath viaduct works are that that wasn’t a sudden emergency so it was possible to plan meetings, and it was under our control – in this case, the publicity has had to be tied around National Highways because it’s their bridge, their network, and they’ve been leading on the communications work. But because although it’s an emergency it's not going to be over quickly, we will be looking to do further communications to make sure our residents know the best way to get about.”

References

  1. ^ Yate (www.bristolpost.co.uk)
  2. ^ Diversions have been put in place (www.bristolpost.co.uk)
  3. ^ South Gloucestershire Council (www.bristolpost.co.uk)
  4. ^ Bridge over M4 closing as cracking and deterioration found (www.bristolpost.co.uk)
  5. ^ here (www.bristolpost.co.uk)
  6. ^ reply to a question from opposition Conservative group leader (council.southglos.gov.uk)
  7. ^ South Gloucestershire Council (www.bristolpost.co.uk)
  8. ^ Facebook (www.bristolpost.co.uk)

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