On this page we list selected major roadworks scheduled for the South Gloucester area, based on information supplied by South Gloucestershire Council (SGC) and obtained from one.network (previously roadworks.org). Major roadworks on the wider motorway network will also be included from time to time, based on information supplied by National Highways.
Current roadworks
A432 Badminton Road M4 overbridge
National Highways has closed the A432 Badminton Road M4 overbridge, near the Wick Wick roundabout on the A4174 Ring Road, to enable detailed structural investigations to continue.
The closure, which is in force 24/7, came into effect at 7pm on Wednesday 12th July 2023 and will last until further notice (possibly several months).
LATEST: Badminton Road to remain closed for TWO YEARS to allow M4 overbridge replacement
During a recent structural inspection, accelerated deterioration and cracking to the South East underside of the structure was identified. Due to this, National Highways took the decision to close the overbridge for safety reasons while a full assessment of the structure is undertaken.
Until the investigations and assessments of the bridge are completed, it will remain closed to motorists. Cyclists and pedestrians will be able to use the bridge as normal.
National Highways route manager Sean Walsh said:
“We fully understand closures are frustrating, but we can reassure drivers that safety is and always will be our top priority. That is why we are carrying out this essential and complex investigation work under a full closure for the safety of those using both the bridge and the M4 below.”
“We’ve been communicating with local businesses, stakeholders and South Gloucestershire Council and other local authorities to ensure disruption is kept to a minimum.”
“We would like to apologise in advance for any inconvenience this may cause and ask those travelling in this area to please allow additional time for your journeys.”
While the bridge is owned and maintained by National Highways, the A432 it carries over the M4 is part of South Gloucestershire Council’s road network.
South Gloucestershire Council’s Cabinet member for communities and local place, Cllr Leigh Ingham, said:
“We understand the technical challenges faced by National Highways with this essential investigation work to ensure the safety of their bridge. We are supporting National Highways with the diversion route, working as quickly as we can to put the appropriate measures in place.”
“The National Highways bridge is a critical part of the South Gloucestershire network, and we will continue to work closely with them to minimise the disruption this work will create.”
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 (Keynsham) direction on the A4174, and motorway users to use the M4 junction 18 for Yate, rather than the M32 and A4174.
Constructed in 1966, the post-tension (steel cable reinforcing tightened after the bridge concrete has been poured) designed bridge is a main artery between Yate and Bristol, with principal inspections every six years and general inspections every two years.
It is rare for National Highways to see structural failures like this though some components, such as bridge expansion joints, fail from time to time. Most failures that do occur are as the result of external factors such as flooding and accident damage.
The government-owned company has a programme of structural inspections, investigations and assessments to ensure that substandard and potentially vulnerable structures are identified, safeguarding measures adopted, and maintenance works are implemented.
For the latest information on this scheme, visit A432 Badminton Road bridge, crossing the M4 (National Highways)
See also:
- Badminton Road motorway overbridge closure likely to last until at least Christmas (South Glos Post)
- A432 Badminton Road M4 overbridge closure (SGC)
- Frequently asked questions for the A432 Badminton Road M4 overbridge closure (SGC)
Updates
April 2024
You can attend two drop-in events about the National Highways M4 overbridge and linked road closure on the A432 Badminton Road. These include proposals from South Gloucestershire Council engineers to help with some of the issues raised by the public, and there will also be representatives from National Highways. The events are on Friday 17th May 2024, from 4pm to 7.45pm, at Henfield Hall, Coalpit Heath BS36 2TZ; and on Monday 20th May 2024, from 3.30pm to 7.15pm, at Downend Library BS16 5TW.
March 2024
There is currently a free shuttle bus funded by National Highways which runs until Friday 5th April. You can check the timetable and route map on the operator’s website Transporabus.
From Sunday 7th April 2024 the Y6 Bristol to Chipping Sodbury, First Bus service, is changing the timetable to include St Saviour’s Church area of Coalpit Heath on every journey. This means it will divert from its current route via Beesmoor Road, Heather Avenue, Park Lane and Bridge Way.
This will provide a regular service to this area while the A432 Badminton Road M4 overbridge remains closed.
In addition, from 7th April you can pre-book the WESTLink on demand bus service by phone 0117 457 8561 or via the app. You can find out more and download the app for Android or iOS from the Travelwest website.
February 2024
A spokesperson for National Highways said:
“We’re moving to the next phase of our work. This will involve vegetation clearance and the establishment of a site compound near the bridge. We’ll work mainly during daytime hours, please note our works may not always be visible. Some overnight works will also be needed, where possible we’ll complete noisiest activities before 11pm.”
- Monday 5th February to Friday 29th March 2024 – vegetation clearance and site compound establishment near the bridge
- Wednesday 14th and Thursday 15th February 2024 – overnight works near the bridge (these dates are subject to weather)
- Thursday 15th February 2024 – M4 J18 to J19 closed in both directions 8pm to 6am
For the closure of the M4, all traffic is encouraged to use the following diversions:
- Westbound – via the A46 up to the A420 and back onto the M32 via A4174
- Eastbound – in reverse
During the day the M4 J18 to J19 will be open as usual.
Friday 15th December 2023
National Highways has announced that the A432 Badminton Road bridge over the M4 motorway will need to remain closed for a further two years to allow the structure to be demolished and replaced. Demolition is planned for summer/autumn 2024 following work to divert utilities and it’s hoped that construction of the new bridge will be completed in 2025.
Read more: Badminton Road to remain closed for TWO YEARS to allow M4 overbridge replacement (South Glos Post)
Friday 8th September 2023
South Gloucestershire Council has announced that a new free shuttle bus linking Yate Park & Ride with the A432 / Cuckoo Lane junction, near the bridge closure point, will begin operating on Thursday 14th September 2023.
Read more: Free shuttle bus to ease chaos from closed A432 bridge over M4 motorway (South Glos Post)
Tuesday 5th September 2023
Statement from South Gloucestershire Council:
A new free shuttle bus will be introduced shortly to help improve traffic issues caused by the closure of the M4 overbridge.
National Highway has agreed to fund the new service and has worked with us to get it up and running as soon as possible with more traffic expected as children go back to school.
A new timetable will be agreed when the new bus operator is appointed. The idea is for it to take people to the bridge closure point to link with the M3 service into Bristol. More info will be available soon.
Tuesday 8th August 2023
Statement from South Gloucestershire Council:
Work is starting on Monday 14th August to improve the Henfield Road junction, Yate, while National Highways continues to carry out its inspection of the M4 overbridge.
Our StreetCare teams will be replacing the current temporary lights at Westerleigh Road/ Henfield Road with more efficient regular traffic lights.
Work will last approximately three weeks and will mean Henfield Road will be closed overnight from 8pm to 6am for the first week.
The new traffic lights will go live before Monday 4th September to help alleviate the increased traffic flows expected when children return to school.
The new traffic lights will be removed when the A432 reopens.
Thursday 3rd August 2023
Statement from National Highways:
We’re continuing our survey work and will begin the next stage of our assessments on 7th August.
We’re working overnight, Monday to Friday, when traffic flows on the M4 below the bridge are at their lowest.
Monday 7th to Monday 14th August 2023: The M4 will be closed overnight between junctions 18 and 19 for safety reasons.
Wednesday 25th July 2023
Statement from South Gloucestershire Council:
From 6pm on Thursday 27th July 2023 the following roads will be closed to through traffic:
- Coalsack Lane
- Ruffet Road
- Cooks Lane
Access will be maintained for pedestrians, cyclists and horse riders.
Access to residential properties and business premises along these roads will also be maintained.
In addition, four-way temporary traffic lights will be installed at the Henfield Road/Westerleigh Road crossroads.
We apologise for the short notice and for any inconvenience caused.
These traffic management measures are being installed for safety reasons following our monitoring of the road network since National Highways closed the A432 Badminton Road M4 bridge for investigations.
They will remain in place for the foreseeable future but there is no intention to make these restrictions permanent.
We will continue to monitor the road network.
Thursday 13th July 2023
A spokesperson for National Highways said:
“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.”
Bus diversions
Service Y1 (First Bus)
Service Y1 heading towards Yate & Chipping Sodbury will operate as normal as far as the traffic lights at Hambrook junction but instead of going straight across, will divert left onto the B4058 Bristol Road (serving ‘The Stream’ bus stop), through Winterbourne village, then turn right into Church Road to its end and left onto Badminton Road (part unaffected) to resume normal route.
Service Y1 heading towards Bristol will operate the reverse of the above.