M4 to fully shut for three days as closure dates confirmed
Drivers have been issued a fresh warning over an upcoming closure of the M4 to allow construction of Badminton Road Bridge. The M4 will now be closed in both directions between junctions 18 for Bath and 19 for the M32 from 7pm on Friday, October 24 until 6am on Monday, October 27. The closure was initially slated for Friday, October 10 to 6am on Monday, October 13.
This is to enable the installation of steel beams for the new A432 Badminton Road Bridge. The amended date is necessary due to a manufacturing delay impacting the bridge beams, reports Gloucestershire Live[1]. Sean Walsh, Route Manager for National Highways, said: "Due to unavoidable circumstances, we are having to move the weekend closure to the 24th October.
This change in date is due to a delay in the production of the bridge beams, and it's essential that we have everything in place prior to the closure to allow it to run smoothly. "Whilst the delay is regrettable, we are working at pace to reopen the A432 as soon as possible, and we don't anticipate this will have a delay on the overall programme of works." The closure marks a vital stage for the project, which will see eight steel beams installed across the carriageway, representing the final complete weekend shutdown of the M4 for this scheme and the concluding major reconstruction phase.
After the beam installation, the remaining bridge construction will continue with minimal disruption to the motorway below, with public access anticipated in early 2026. The new bridge, measuring 46.5m in length and 20m in width, will span eight lanes of motorway but will be slightly wider to ensure the road lanes and pavements meet current safety standards. The barriers along the sides have been heightened to provide increased safety for pedestrians and cyclists.
Given that this section of the M4 sees between 3,000 to 4,000 vehicles every hour during peak weekend periods, the closure is expected to cause significant disruption. Motorists are therefore advised to avoid the area where possible and plan their journeys for alternative times. National Highways extends its gratitude to the public for their patience while this substantial construction work is carried out, promising smoother, more reliable and safer journeys for road users.
(Image: National Highways)
A diversion for westbound traffic will be as follows:
- From M4 junction 18, exit the motorway roundabout to the A46 heading towards Bath
- At the A46/A420 junction just past Pennsylvania take the A420 towards Warmley
- At the A420/A4174 junction in Warmley, take the A4174 towards the M32
- Join the M32 at junction 1 and head to the M4 junction 19
- Follow directions above in reverse for exiting at M4 junction 19
The eastbound diversion will be in reverse. Constructed in 1966, the Badminton Road bridge was a concrete post-tensioned structure.
However, a planned detailed structural investigation in July 2023 revealed issues on the underside of the bridge, necessitating its closure to traffic. After considering various options, it was decided that demolishing and replacing the existing structure would be the quickest and most cost-effective method of restoring this vital local link. Work on site is progressing well, with the new bridge set to open to traffic in early 2026.
Further information about the scheme can be found here.[2]
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References
- ^ Gloucestershire Live (www.gloucestershirelive.co.uk)
- ^ Further information about the scheme can be found here. (nationalhighways.co.uk)
- ^ Somerset Live (www.somersetlive.co.uk)
- ^ click this link and select 'Join Community'. (chat.whatsapp.com)
- ^ Somerset Live (www.somersetlive.co.uk)
- ^ Privacy Notice. (www.reachplc.com)
- ^ Click here to join our WhatsApp community. (chat.whatsapp.com)