The M4 motorway will be fully closed this weekend between junction 18 (Bath) and junction 19 (M32) starting from 7pm on Friday, October 24 until 6am on Monday, October 27. This closure is necessary to lift steel beams into place for the new A432 Badminton Road Bridge, a key infrastructure project expected to open in early 2026.
National Highways has advised motorists to avoid travel in the affected area if possible, as long delays are expected. For those who must drive through the closure zone, a clearly marked diversion route will be in operation.
Westbound drivers will be rerouted along a 15-mile detour, which generally takes about 30 minutes without traffic. However, travel times will likely increase significantly this weekend since the section usually sees 3,000 to 4,000 vehicles per hour during peak weekend periods.
READ MORE: Somerset’s Osip Named UK’s Best Restaurant by Timeout Magazine
READ MORE: Somerset Village Unites to Oppose Plan to Transform It into a Town
Sean Walsh, Route Manager for National Highways, acknowledged the inconvenience but emphasized the importance of the full closure for safety and project success: “The beam lift is a huge milestone, but the closure is essential due to specialist machinery and the need to protect workers and drivers.”
He added that once finished, the new bridge will improve connectivity for drivers, businesses, and local communities that have been impacted by the current construction.
Following this weekend’s major work, further construction is expected to cause minimal disruption to motorway traffic.