M4 closure date change
National Highways is warning road users that the date the M4 north of Bristol will be closed is changing.
The M4 will now be closed in both directions between junctions 18 (Bath) and 19 (M32) from 7pm Friday 24th October to 6am Monday 27th October.
This is to allow for steel beams for the new A432 Badminton Road Bridge to be lifted into place.
The change of date is needed due to a delay in the production of the bridge beams.
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 key milestone for the scheme, which will see eight steel beams lifted into place across the motorway, marking the last full weekend closure of the M4 for this scheme and the final major stage of reconstruction.
Once the beams have been lifted into place, the remainder of the new bridge will be constructed with minimal disruption to the motorway below, and will be open to the public in early 2026.
The new bridge – 46.5m in length and 20m wide – will span eight lanes of motorway but will be slightly wider.
This is to ensure the road lanes and pavements are wide enough to meet today's safety standards. The barriers along the sides are higher to keep people walking and cycling safer.
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, and drivers are advised, where possible, to avoid the area and plan journeys for alternative times.
National Highways thanks people for their patience while carrying out this significant construction work that will bring smoother, more reliable and safer journeys for road users.
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. In July 2023, a planned detailed structural investigation revealed problems on the underside of the bridge, which meant it had to be closed to traffic.
Having considered the options, demolishing and replacing the existing structure was the quickest and most economical approach to restoring this important local link.
Work is progressing well on site, and the new bridge is due to be open to traffic in early 2026.
More information about the scheme can be found here.
Notes to Editors
National Highways is the wholly government-owned company responsible for modernising, maintaining and operating England’s motorways and major A roads.
Real-time traffic information for England’s motorways and major A roads is available via the Traffic England website, local and national radio travel bulletins, electronic road signs and mobile apps. Local Twitter services are also available.
For further information please contact National Highways' press office (24hrs) on 0844 693 1448 and select the most appropriate option:
Option 1: National enquiries (9am to 5.30pm) and out of hours for urgent enquiriesOption 2: North West (9am to 5.30pm)Option 3: Yorkshire and North East (9am to 5.30pm)Option 4: West Midlands (9am to 5.30pm)Option 5: East Midlands (9am to 5.30pm)Option 6: East (9am to 5.30pm)Option 7: South East (9am to 5.30pm)Option 8: South West (9am to 5.30pm)
