A40 Over Bridge refurbishment
We're repairing and maintaining the Over Bridge on the A40 near Gloucester between June 2026 and March 2027.
Latest updates
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02 October 2026
Contraflow switch and planned closures
Contraflow switch
From Tuesday 20 October the contraflow will switch onto the eastbound carriageway of the bridge.
The switch date has been selected to avoid conflicting with planned M5 footbridge demolition works and the associated diversion routes through Gloucester in October.
What does this mean for road users?
To facilitate the contraflow switch, the A40 will be closed overnight on Monday 19 October in both directions details of which are below.
The overnight closure has moved back due to the additional repairs identified this month. Whilst the switch date has changed, the overall project completion date remains unchanged.
Once the switch has taken place, traffic will be moved onto the newly refurbished eastbound side of the bridge, allowing work to begin on the westbound carriageway.Planned closures
8 June 2026 to March 2027 - slip road linking A417 Over Causeway to A40 westbound
Closed 24/7 for the duration of the scheme.
If you're travelling from the A417 onto the A40 westbound, you'll need to join by the roundabout.
July to October 2026 - A40 eastbound carriageway between Over Farm and Over roundabout.
Closed.
- eastbound drivers will use a contraflow on the westbound side of the bridge
- one lane of traffic running in each direction with a 30mph speed limit
19 October - A40 in both directions between Over roundabout and Highnam roundabout
Closed overnight (8pm – 6am).
Signed diversion by:
- A417
- A449
- and A40
20 October 2026 to January 2027 - A40 westbound carriageway between Over roundabout and Over Farm
Closed.
- westbound drivers will use a contraflow on the eastbound side of the bridge
- one lane of traffic running in each direction with a 30mph speed limit
We'll need further closures in 2027. We'll update information on this page when we have firm details.
Please remember that closures can change at short notice. You can check the latest information on our daily closures page. Our travel alerts give details of live incidents on our network.
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28 September 2026
Bridge repair update
What we did in August
We exposed the bridge deck and got the structure ready for major repairs. Traffic kept moving on the westbound carriageway while we worked on the eastbound side.
We removed the old road surface, waterproofing and central reserve to reach the bridge deck underneath. This let our engineers inspect the structure closely.
Removing the old waterproofing took longer than planned, as it was difficult to separate from the deck. We kept making steady progress, using different methods to protect the structure while removing the material.
As we exposed more of the bridge deck, we found more areas needing repair. This is normal for a bridge this age, and it's why we're carrying out this refurbishment now, to keep the bridge safe for years to come.
Working beneath the bridge
We also finished building the scaffold platform beneath the bridge. It's now installed, inspected and approved, giving our specialist teams safe access to work on the underside.
We've started repairing damaged concrete beneath the bridge. Our contractors are removing the damaged sections and rebuilding them using spray concrete, to make sure the structure lasts.
What we're doing now
Through September, we're continuing the bridge deck repairs and preparing for new waterproofing. We're:
- removing the remaining waterproofing from the eastbound deck
- repairing concrete above and below the bridge
- excavating around both bridge supports
- fitting waterproofing fillets and preparing the deck for its new waterproofing system
- starting to install the new waterproofing membrane
- completing repairs we found during inspections
You might notice less visible activity at times. Many repairs are happening beneath the bridge, or need time to cure before we can continue.
We're still continuing work across the structure, even when it's hard to see from the road.
Project information
Overview
Over Bridge carries the A40 over the River Severn at Over in Gloucester. The dual carriageway is a key part of the road network with 5,000 vehicles an hour crossing the bridge at peak times. It connects Gloucester, Cheltenham and Ross on Wye and the A40 connects England and Wales.
This work will extend the life of the bridge and reduce the risk of unplanned closures for emergency maintenance work in the future. The scheme will deliver a more resilient, safer and more reliable route for local communities, businesses and freight.
Work will include:
- repairs to concrete
- renewing the waterproofing
- improving drainage
- resurfacing
- new bridge joints
- upgraded street lighting
- new barriers
- new signage
Diversions and traffic management
How we'll work
To work safely we'll need a combination of:
- lane closures
- full closures
- reducing traffic to one lane in each direction with a contraflow and 30mph speed limit in place
A40 contraflow eastbound closure
A40 contraflow westbound closure
We've timed our work to avoid:
- Cheltenham Festival
- exam periods for university students in the area
We're expecting this work to cause significant delays in the area and advise drivers to plan their journeys in advance.
Drivers are advised to use alternative routes where possible, especially during peak travel times.
To learn more, read A40 Over Bridge Deck refurbishment works frequently asked questions.
Diversions
Drivers travelling westbound will not be able to turn right into Over Farm, Toby Carvery or Horseshoe Drive and will have to divert to the Highnam roundabout to turn around.
Whilst disruptive, the contraflow allows us to complete this complex work while maintaining traffic flow and keeping workers safe and help us stay on track to meet our project completion date in spring 2027.
Some full overnight closures of the A40 will be required during the works.
During the full closures a signed diversion will be in place via the:
- A417 to Ledbury
- A449 to Ross on Wye
- and rejoin the A40 for westbound traffic
The diversion is the reverse for eastbound traffic. Please follow the signed diversion routes and not satnavs.
A40 Over Bridge diversion route map.
The footpath and cycleway will remain open for the duration of the works.
There will be local diversions for pedestrians and cyclists over the bridge depending on what phase of the works is being undertaken and these will be managed locally by the team on site.
Cyclists will need to dismount in one area beneath the bridge, due to low headroom.
Access across the bridge will be maintained for the duration of the works.
The footway on the A417 slip road will remain open, with safety fencing in place to keep pedestrians and cyclists separate from the work area.
Documents
Traffic information
Information about scheduled roadworks and events on our motorways and major roads.Sign up for updates!
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