National Highways has issued a warning to motorists that a section of the M4 will be shut for an entire weekend in October, due to works on the A432 Badminton Road Bridge.
The M4 will be closed in both directions between junctions 18 and 19 from 7pm Friday, October 18 until 6am Monday, October 21, while a trench is dug under the motorway. This will allow utilities to be diverted that are currently within the bridge before the structure is demolished next year.
With 3,000 to 4,000 vehicles using this section of the M4 every hour over peak weekend periods the closure is likely to cause substantial disruption. Drivers are advised, where possible, to avoid the area and plan journeys for alternative times.
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.”
Built in 1966, the Badminton Road bridge is a concrete post tensioned structure. However, in July 2023, a scheduled detailed structural investigation uncovered rapid deterioration and cracking to the southeast underside of the structure, leading to its closure to traffic.
After considering various options, it has been decided that demolishing and replacing the existing structure would be the fastest and most cost-effective solution.
The M4 closure has been planned to coincide with a pause in National Highways work on the A36 Warminster Road at Limpley Stoke, allowing Wiltshire Council to carry out work on the A350. The bridge work is set to be completed by spring 2026.