M3 Bagshot Heath footbridge

We’re replacing the footbridge which carries footpath 184 over the M3 connecting Whitmoor Road, Bagshot and Lightwater Country Park.

Start date Winter 2024

End date May 2025

Cost TBC

Latest updates

30 October 2024

Early work for next year’s footbridge installation begins

Following the urgent removal of the Bagshot Heath footbridge last year, we are on track for the new footbridge to be in place and open to the public in May 2025.

At the beginning of November, we’re starting some very early work on the new bridge. This involves clearing vegetation, preparing the verge slopes and temporarily removing the adjacent cantilever gantry.

To do this, on Tuesday 5 November, we’ll be closing the M3 between junction 3 and 4 overnight on the southbound carriageway and between junction 4a to 3 on the northbound carriageway (9pm to 6am). We will also be closing the northbound carriageway only overnight on Tuesday 12 November.

Our main construction work will be next year, building the concrete foundations and bridge supports from January and lifting the new bridge into place under a full weekend closure of the M3 from 9pm Friday 25 April through to 6am Monday 28 April. In case we experience high winds on this weekend and cannot operate our cranes, we also have a contingency weekend planned from 9-12 May.

Once the new bridge is in place we will need 10 overnight closures (five on each carriageway) to safely install the mesh on the bridge and anti-climb before the bridge can be opened to the public.
02 November 2023

Footbridge demolition and timeline update

Following urgent safety concerns as a result of a structural survey, we closed the footbridge over the M3 in Bagshot in October.

We've published answers to popular queries in the 'Your questions answered' section further down this webpage.

To safely demolish the bridge, we'll need to close junctions 3 to 4 of the M3 in both directions:

9pm Friday 8 to 6am Monday 11 December

Diversion routes

During the weekend closure, there will be signed diversion routes in place as follows:

Southbound full closure of Junction 3 to Junction 4:
All vehicles exit at M3 South junction 3, turn right onto A322 and continue for approximately 1 mile before turning left onto the A30 London Road. After approximately 4.5 miles turn left on to the A331 and then rejoin the M3 Southbound at Junction 4.

Northbound full closure of Junction 4a to Junction 3:
All vehicles exit at M3 junction 4a onto the A327 for approximately 1.8 miles, turn right on to the A30 continue for approximately 7.1 miles and turn right onto Grove End link road, turning left onto the A322, before turning left to rejoin the M3 Northbound at Junction 3.

Northbound on-slip closure of Junction 4 (approaching from Frimley):
All vehicles from Junction 4, continue along the A331 and then turn right onto the A30 London Road. After approximately 4.5miles turn right onto the A322 and then rejoin the M3 Northbound at Junction 3.

We always aim to work to the programme, however unforeseen circumstances or adverse weather conditions may mean changes. Please accept our apologies in advance for any inconvenience this may cause.

If you'd like to receive email updates about this work, you can sign up on the right hand side of this page.
02 October 2023

Footbridge closure

For safety reasons, we’ve had to close the bridge with immediate effect. This follows a structural assessment which has highlighted some defects.

We apologise for any inconvenience this may cause.

We will need to demolish the existing bridge and replace it with a new one that will also accommodate cyclists and provide better connectivity. To demolish the existing bridge, we’ll need to close the M3 in both directions over a weekend, however we’ll let you know in advance when we’re about to do this.

We anticipate that the new bridge will be in place from autumn 2025.

Please continue to visit this page for updates.
11 January 2023

Replacement bridge - timeline update

Good news! Since removing the unsafe footbridge in December 2023, we've been working hard to bring forward the installation of a new bridge, which was originally programmed for Autumn 2025.

We've been able to bring forward the opening date of the replacement footbridge to May 2025. We'll update this page as soon as we have more information about our start of work, and you can sign up for alerts on the right hand side of this page.

You can find more details about what's required to design a new footbridge in our 'Your questions answered' section below. Thank you for your patience while we work to provide a safe bridge that accommodates both pedestrians and cyclists.

See more updates

Project information

Following a structural review concluded on Thursday 28 September 2023, we’ve closed the footbridge with immediate effect. The review highlighted issues about the structure’s capacity to withstand collision loading from over height vehicles on the M3 Motorway.

We discussed these findings with Surrey County Council (SCC) and Surrey Heath on Monday 2 October 2023 as they manage the footpath. It was agreed that due to these concerns the footbridge should be closed the same day.

We hope the new footbridge will enhance the experience for those in the area, accommodating both pedestrians and cyclists.

The local communities may be familiar with the alternative underpasses either side of the bridge and crossing points at Lightwater interchange.

We’ve taken on board feedback regarding the condition of the footpaths, and we will be making improvements including removing vegetation, addressing localised flooding and repairing faulty lighting. In liaison with Surrey Heath and Surrey County Council we will also check the approach paths for suitability.

Why was the previous footbridge demolished?

The results of a structural review in September highlighted issues with the bridges capacity to withstand collision loading from over height vehicles on the M3 Motorway underneath it.

After discussing these findings with Surrey County Council (SCC) and Surrey Heath, it was agreed the bridge needed to be closed with immediate effect to maintain the safety of those travelling over and underneath. The structural issues couldn't be repaired, so the bridge was demolished and will be replaced.

What are the alternative routes for pedestrians?

The local community may be familiar with the alternative underpasses either side of the bridge and crossing points at Lightwater interchange. We’ve taken on board feedback regarding the condition of these footpaths, and will be making improvements including:

Removing vegetation
Addressing localised flooding
Repairing faulty lighting

We hope that these improvements will allow pedestrians who use these routes to feel safer doing so. In liaison with Surrey Heath and SCC, we’ll also check the approach paths are suitable.

Why wasn’t I notified in advance of the closure, and how will you be communicating in future?

We had to react quickly once we knew the safety of the footbridge was of concern. The speed of this decision meant that not everyone who would be impacted received communication of this action in advance.

Please accept our apologies for any disruption caused by the immediate closure.

We’ve now sent notification postcards to residents in the area, and emails to local stakeholders such as businesses and schools advising of alternative pedestrian routes to use. We’ve also written to and met with the local MP Michael Gove and county councillors to discuss our next steps.

If you’d like to receive email updates about this work, you can sign up on the right hand side of this webpage, where we’ll add the latest information as our plans progress.

When will the new footbridge be installed?

We’re actively progressing plans for a replacement footbridge. This requires:

ground investigation (Geotechnical) surveys
environmental surveys
considering and developing options
undertaking design
steel fabrication (which can take up to 6 months), and installation.

We've managed to better our initial installation of Autumn 2025 to May 2025. We acknowledge this drawn out disruption for the local community, and hope the new footbridge will enhance the experience for those in the area, accommodating both pedestrians and cyclists.