A432 Badminton Road bridge crossing the M4

Latest updates

• 30 October 2024

  M4 trenching complete

  We successfully completed trenching under the M4 between junctions 18 & 19 over the weekend of 18 to 21 October 2024.

  

  This means the utilities, which currently run across the A432 Badminton Road bridge, can be redirected under the motorway ready for the bridge to be demolished next March.

  Utilities to be redirected include a gas main, two water mains, HV power cables and fibreoptics. 

  During the weekend closure we:

  • dug four trenches crossing the M4 motorway from beyond each of the hard shoulders.
  • excavated 553 tonnes of material, comparable to the weight of about 92 large SUVs.
  • completed 734 tonnes of surfacing, the equivalent to the weight of about 122 African elephants.
  • backfilled 459 tonnes, roughly the weight of 76 adult giraffes.
  • completed 291 meters of ducting, about the length of 3 football fields.

  We also managed to facilitate the removal and reinstatement of 400 tonnes of surfacing material as part of other works near J18, repaired several sections of motorway drainage near J19, completed 40 meters of central reservation barrier repair, completed several small carriageway repairs and completed an overbridge inspection.

  Nearly all of the removed material will be treated or recycled.

  We apologise for any disruption caused by the weekend closure and thank you for your continued patience as we work to replace the bridge. 

• 27 September 2024

  M4 junctions 18 and 19 - full weekend closure

  We’ll be closing the M4 north of Bristol for a full weekend in October. This closure is part of works on the A432 Badminton Road Bridge.

  The M4 will be closed in both directions between junctions 18 and 19 from 7pm Friday 18 October to 6am Monday 21 October. 

  During the closure, we’ll be digging trenches under the motorway. The trenches will allow utilities to be diverted that are currently within the bridge. The bridge is then due to be demolished next year.

  Where possible, noisy work will be completed during the day so that overnight noise is kept to a minimum.

  A local diversion route will be in place, which is expected to be very busy, please follow diversion signs and not satnavs.

  View diversion map.

  This is one of the busiest sections of motorway in the south west. The closure is likely to cause substantial disruption. 

  We carefully plan our schemes to limit any inconvenience. However, sometimes it's not possible to carry out the work 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, please allow yourself plenty of extra time to complete your journey via the signed diversion routes. 

  If we are unable to complete our work as planned, the M4 junction 18 to 19 will be closed again from 7pm Friday 25 October to 6am Monday 28 October. We’ll post more information here and on our social media channels.

  Please remember that closures can change at short notice. You can check the latest information on our daily closures page or find live travel information on our Traffic England. Our travel alerts give details of live incidents on our network.

• 28 August 2024

  What we're doing - August to September

  We’re working with utility providers and other authorities to move services before we demolish the bridge.

  Closures

  M4 at Badminton Road weeknight closures - 9 September to 20 September

  Because utilities are being moved under the motorway, we need to work in the M4 central reservation. This includes improvements to the drainage and barriers. 

  To do this work, we'll close lanes on the M4 where it runs under Badminton Road near Bristol

  Closures will be weeknights (9pm - 6am) from Monday 9 to Friday 20 September.

  M4 between J18 and J19 overnight closures - 12 September

  To perform inspections, we'll need overnight closures of the M4 between J18 and J19 on Thursday 12 September.

  A diversion will be in place westbound by the A46 up to the A420 and back onto the M32 via the A4174. Eastbound in reverse.

  During the day the M4 J18 to J19 will be open as usual.

  Further overnight closures may be required before we demolish the structure.

  Please remember that closures can change at short notice. You can check the latest information on our daily closures page or find live travel information on our Traffic England site. Our travel alerts give details of live incidents on our network.

  What happens next

  Toward the end of September, we’ll be clearing vegetation so we can

  • move communications
  • clear access to the bridge structure from the east.

  You’ll see us setting up our site compound over the coming weeks.  Once we complete bridge work, we'll remove the compound. We'll improve the condition of area before we leave.

  We’re on track to install ducting that will carry cables under the motorway by mid-October 2024.

  Environmental mitigation measures to protect wildlife remain in place.

  We’re working closely with South Gloucestershire Council to co-ordinate any proposed work along the A432 and at the Wick Wick roundabout.

   

• 31 July 2024

  What's happening in July

  Utilities

  Together with utility providers and other authorities, we're planning how to move services before we demolish the bridge. We're due to start this work in October 2024, after we install new routes under the M4.

  Planning demolition

  We’re refining our programme to demolish the new bridge and install the new one.

  We’ve cut the amount of time needed for construction. This means we can allow pedestrian and cyclists to use the bridge up until we start preparing for demolition.

  Provided we successfully divert utilities in the bridge, we’re aiming for demolition date in March 2025.

  Preparing the site

  We're clearing vegetation for access to the bridge and for our temporary compound area. We’re taking measures to protect wildlife in the area while we work.

  Working with South Gloucestershire Council

  We’re working closely with South Gloucestershire Council to co-ordinate any proposed work along the A432 and at the Wick Wick roundabout.

  Changes to road markings should improve vehicle movements along the A4174. As a result, you may also see less traffic management along the ring road.

  Closures

  We'll need two overnight closures of  the M4 between junction 18 and 19 for inspection work.

  We're aiming for one closure in August and one in September.

  Please remember that closure details can change at short notice. For the most up-to-date details including dates and time, please visit our daily closures page. 

  A diversion will be in place westbound via the A46 up to the A420 and back onto the M32 via the A4174. Eastbound in reverse.

  During the day the M4 J18 to J19 will be open as usual.

• 20 May 2024

  Preparation work continues

  We’ve now completed our investigations to determine the connections points of the utility pipes and cables that run through the bridge.

  We’re continuing to work with providers and other authorities to ensure these utilities are moved before we demolish the bridge. The utilities will be moved to run under the M4, and this work is due to start in the autumn this year. We’ll provide more information on how this will be completed soon.

  At present, we’re on schedule to start demolition of the bridge towards the end of the year, subject to coordination with utility providers and other authorities.

  The bridge will remain open to pedestrians and cyclists until demolition takes place.

  You may notice a site compound being set up near the bridge – this provides welfare facilities for our teams working on site, as well as a storage area for materials. Once work is complete, this compound will be removed and the area returned to its original condition. 

  We’ll also soon be putting ecological mitigation place so we can start clearing vegetation around the structure.

  See our recent video-based update with South Gloucestershire Council on You Tube.

• 01 December 2023

  Work starts in the New Year

  Following its closure in June, investigations have shown extensive cracking of the concrete and damage to the post-tensioning system, reducing the bridge’s ability to carry traffic without sustaining more damage. Neither strengthening nor refurbishment work would provide a long-term solution and would only extend the lifespan of the bridge for a limited time. Both these options would take a similar amount of time to complete as full replacement of the structure.

  Demolition is planned for summer/autumn 2024 and plans are now underway for a new, 20-metre-wide bridge, that will reconnect South Gloucestershire communities and allow for more sustainable transport options to be considered. The project is expected to take about two years. Access across the current bridge will be maintained for cyclists and pedestrians before demolition, but due to timescale and cost it will not be possible to build a temporary bridge for motorists or pedestrians during construction of the new bridge.

  From January 2024, local residents will see activity on site starting with ecological surveys and vegetation clearance to establish works compounds. Prior to demolition of the bridge, it will be necessary to divert services embedded in the structure, including a water main, high voltage cables, fibre optics cables, and a gas main.

  We fully understand the disruption this closure causes, and we thank people for their patience as we move the project forward as quickly as possible.

  A free shuttle bus service has been funded by National Highways. Bus operator Transpora have agreed the route from Yate Park & Ride, along the A432 to the bridge closure. It is then a short five-minute walk over the bridge to access additional bus services.

  The free all-day service will operate every 30 minutes from 7am-7pm Monday to Friday.

• 05 September 2023

  Free shuttle bus

  A free shuttle bus service will be introduced Thursday 14 September 2023.

  National Highways is funding the free service for communities affected by the closure of the bridge. Bus operator Transpora have agreed the route from Yate Park & Ride, along the A432 to the bridge closure. It is then a short five-minute walk over the bridge to access additional bus services.

  The free all-day service will operate every 30 minutes from 7am-7pm Monday to Friday from September 14. This trial will initially run until the end of December.

• 01 August 2023

  Survey work continues

  We’re continuing our survey work and will begin the next stage of our assessments on 7 August. We’re working overnight, Monday to Friday, when traffic flows on the M4 below the bridge are at their lowest. Our works will mean there will be some closures on the M4 (see below). There may be increased noise, where possible we’ll complete noisiest works before 11pm.

  Please accept our apologies in advance for any disruption this will cause.

  Access will be maintained for pedestrians and cyclists.

  Traffic management

  The bridge will be closed 24/7 to motorists until further notice.

  • 7 to 14 August - M4 will be closed overnight between junctions 18 and 19 for safety reasons. The M4 will be open as usual during the day.

  To reduce congestion and delays, drivers are advised to use the following diversions for the A432 Badminton Road closure:  

  • Northbound via the B4465 Westerleigh Road up to A46 and into Yate via A432
  • Southbound in reverse

  For the closure of the M4, we would encourage all traffic to use the following diversions:

  • Westbound via the A46 up to the A420 and back onto the M32 via A4174
  • Eastbound in reverse

  We would advise all motorists to use the A420 and A46 for Yate from the Hicks Gate direction on the A4174, and motorway users to use the M4 junction 18 for Yate, rather than the M32 and A4174.

• 12 July 2023

  Bridge temporarily closed

  The bridge was temporarily closed from 7pm 12 July 2023, to enable detailed structural investigations to continue.

  Our recent survey work revealed accelerated deterioration and cracking to the southeast underside of the structure. Further investigations are beginning to reveal the full extent of the work required and the earliest a decision can be made regarding future restrictions is likely to be December 2023. We’re monitoring and investigating both the underside and top deck of the bridge, so work may not always be visible.

  Until investigations and assessments of the bridge are completed, the bridge will remain closed to all motorists for safety reasons. 

  Access will be maintained for pedestrians and cyclists.

  To reduce congestion and delays, drivers are advised to use the following diversions:   

  • Northbound via the B4465 Westerleigh Road up to A46 and into Yate via A432 
  • Southbound in reverse 

  National Highways is also encouraging all traffic to use the A420 and A46 for Yate from the Hicks Gate direction on the A4174, and motorway users to use the M4 junction 18 for Yate, rather than the M32 and A4174. 

  Thank you for your patience while this important safety work is carried out.