The M4 will be closed again for a weekend next month when eight steel beams are lifted into place for the new A432 Badminton Road Bridge.

A CGI image of how the new bridge over the M4 will look | Image © Highways England

The old overbridge was demolished in March, with the M4 closed in both directions for the work to take place.

Used by around 16,000 vehicles a day, the Badminton Road Bridge linking Yate and Bristol had been closed to traffic since the summer of 2023 after extensive cracking was discovered. Investigations revealed the damage could not be repaired long-term or cost-effectively and a new one would have to be constructed.

Access was maintained for cyclists and pedestrians until shortly before the demolition.

The M4 was also closed for a weekend last October to allow for utilities in the overbridge to be diverted under the motorway.

Now National Highways is planning to close the motorway again in both directions between Junction 18 (Bath) and Junction 19 (M32 interchange) from 7pm on Friday 10th October to 6am on Monday 13th October.

With between 3,000 and 4,000 vehicles using this section of motorway every hour during peak weekend periods, National Highways warns people to expect “substantial disruption”.

“We strongly advise you to avoid the area where possible and plan your journey for a different time.”

If you’re travelling westbound:

  • Leave the M4 at Junction 18 and join the A46 towards Bath
  • Take the A420 towards Warmley at the A46/A420 junction past Pennsylvania
  • Join the A4174 towards the M32 at the A420/A4174 junction in Warmley
  • Connect to the M4 at Junction 19 via M32 Junction 1.

If you’re travelling eastbound, follow the same diversion in the opposite direction.

Drivers are urged to follow diversion signs and not satnavs.

The work depends on good weather. If the team can’t work that weekend, they will rearrange the closure for Friday 17th October to Monday 20th October.

National Highways says this will be the last full weekend closure of the M4 for this project.

“Once the beams are in position, we’ll complete the rest of the bridge with minimal disruption to the motorway below.”

The new bridge is due to open in early 2026.  The cost of the project has yet to be confirmed.