A section of the M4 will be closed in both directions between junctions 18 and 19 from 7pm Friday, October 18 until 6am Monday, October 21 due to works on the A432 Badminton Road Bridge. The closure is necessary for digging a trench under the motorway to redirect utilities currently within the bridge, ahead of its scheduled demolition next year.
As one of the busiest sections of motorway in the South West, the closure is expected to cause substantial disruption with 3,000 to 4,000 vehicles using this stretch of the M4 every hour during peak weekend periods. National Highways advises drivers to consider alternative routes and travel times wherever feasible.
National Highways route manager Sean Walsh emphasizes the importance of early notice to allow motorists to plan their journeys in advance, urging drivers to avoid the area if possible. He also advises those who must travel through the affected area to use signed diversion routes, allocate extra time, and anticipate delays.
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The A432 Badminton Road Bridge, a concrete post-tensioned structure built in 1966, has undergone rapid deterioration and cracking, leading to its recent closure. Following a detailed structural investigation, the decision was made to replace the structure, necessitating the upcoming demolition.
The closure has been timed to coincide with a pause in National Highways work on the A36 Warminster Road at Limpley Stoke, enabling Wiltshire Council to conduct work on the A350. The bridge replacement project is slated for completion by spring 2026.