NATIONAL Highways has moved back the date when it will close the M4 near Bristol for the third and final time as part of work to replace the A432 Badminton Road bridge.
The latest closure of the motorway between Junction 19 for the M32 at Hambrook and junction 18 for the A46, is taking place so eight steel beams, weighing 80 tonnes each, can be lifted into place over the motorway.
It was due to happen from 7pm on Friday October 10 to 6am on Monday October 13.
But a delay in producing the eight steel bridge beams means the motorway operator announced today that it has postponed the closure by a fortnight: it will now last from 7pm on Friday October 24 to 6am on Monday October 27.
The change of date is needed due to a delay in the production of the bridge beams.
‘Unavoidable circumstances’
National Highways route manager Sean Walsh said: “Due to unavoidable circumstances, we are having to move the weekend closure.
“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.”
‘Substantial disruption’
National Highways has warned people to expect “substantial disruption” and avoid the area if possible during the works, which it says will be the last full weekend closure for the scheme and and the final major stage of reconstruction.
A spokesperson said: “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.”
Each beam will span the eight lanes of motorway and embankment either side.
The bridge will be 46.5m (153ft) long and 20m (66ft) wide – 4m wider than the old bridge – with wider lanes and pavements “to meet today’s safety standards”.
It will have higher barriers than the old bridge, which was demolished earlier this year.
Diversion
During the closure an official diversion will be in place, with drivers signposted to use the M32, A4174 Avon Ring Road, A420 and A46 past Hambrook, Downend, Emersons Green, Warmley, Wick and Dyrham.
It is the same diversion that was in place for the previous closures in October last year, when trenches were dug across the motorway to relay pipes and cables, and March this year, when the old bridge was demolished.
Many drivers avoided the official diversion during those closures, and as a result there were also long queues on alternative routes, including Westerleigh Road between Emersons Green and Tormarton, and roads through Pucklechurch.
National Highways says up to 4,000 vehicles an hour use the section of the M4 affected by the closure during peak weekend periods, so the closure is likely to cause “substantial disruption”.
‘Avoid the area’
The spokesperson said: “Drivers are advised, where possible, to avoid the area and plan their journeys for alternative times.”
The old bridge, which used to carry thousands of cars a day over the motorway on the A432 Badminton Road between Downend and Yate, was closed in July 2023 after “structural failures” were found.
The new bridge is expected to cost around £20 million, with beams would be made from low-maintenance ‘weathering steel’, which has a specially-formulated layer of stable rust that seals off the rest of the metal from the elements.
It will not have moving parts such as bearings and joints that need to be replaced, as the whole structure is designed to expand and contract as temperatures change.
Picture: The old bridge is demolished during the previous weekend closure