M4 motorway to be closed in both directions for bridge works

A section of the road will be shut for a weekend next month and Highways England is warning people to avoid the area

A CGI image showing how the A432 Badminton Road bridge will look when completed (Image: National Highways)

A section of the M4 motorway will be closed in both directions next month as major works are carried out.

The road will be shut between junction 18 (Bath) and junction 19 (M32) to allow Highways England to lift eight steel beams into place for the new A432 Badminton Road Bridge.

The stretch of road will be shut between 7pm on Friday, October 10, to 6am on Monday, October 13, and will be the last full weekend closure for the project.

Once the beams are in position, Highways England said it would complete the rest of the bridge with "minimal disruption" to the motorway below.

"Please remember that closures can change at short notice," a spokesperson for Highways England said. "We strongly advise you to avoid the area where possible and plan your journey for a different time. Please follow diversion signs and not satnavs."

It is understood the work that is due to take place depends on good weather. Highways England has said if it is unable to carry out the work on 10 - 13 October, the bridge will be closed the following weekend (Friday, October 17, to Monday, October 20) instead.

The original bridge, which was built in 1966, was closed to traffic in 2023 after an inspection by Highways England found cracking to the south-east underside of the structure.

A ground investigation started in 2024 and the old bridge was demolished in March this year. The new bridge will open to the public early next year.

"3,000 to 4,000 vehicles us this section of motorway every hour during peak weekend periods," Highways England added. "We expect substantial disruption.

"We know this closure will be inconvenient. Thank you for your patience while we carry out this significant work."