Cracked and damaged M4 overbridge to be replaced

A cracked and damaged overbridge on the M4 is set to be demolished[1] and replaced. National Highways said the A432 overbridge, which spans over the motorway in South Gloucestershire[2], will be fully replaced with a new 20-metre bridge. The overbridge has been closed since June and recent inspections revealed that refurbishing work would not provide a long-term solution.

Pictures of the current A432 overbridge show extensive cracking of the concrete and damage to the post-tensioning system. Due to its poor condition, the bridge will remain closed to limit further damage during the design phase. The replacement work is set to start in January 2024 before being completed in 2025.

Sean Walsh, Route Manager for National Highways, said: "Safety is our number one priority, and our extensive and detailed investigations show that we now need to demolish and replace the bridge. As you will appreciate this is an expensive complex process and we are working with partners to expedite the process as quickly as possible. "We fully understand the disruption the closure has and will cause, and we thank people for their patience as we move this project forward as soon as possible.

We will continue to work with South Gloucestershire Council to help manage the impact of the closure and to progress with the bridge replacement." The current overbridge is set to be demolished next summer or autumn. National Highways added that, due to timescales and costs, it is not possible to install a temporary bridge during the works.

Prior to demolition of the bridge, officials will need to divert services embedded in the structure, including a water main, high voltage cables, fibre optics cables, and a gas main.

Local residents are set to see activity on the site starting from January 2024, with work expected to be completed in 2025. South Gloucestershire Council's Leader, Councillor Claire Young, added: "We understand how frustrating this closure will be for residents, however do recognise that it is essential that National Highways carry out this work for the safety of all bridge and motorway users. "Our highways team is working closely with National Highways and will continue to work to keep traffic moving as freely as possible around the area.

Diversion routes, agreed with the local authority, will continue to be fully signed during the closure.

All planned works may be subject to change due to weather conditions or unforeseen circumstances."

References

1. ^ M4 is set to be demolished (www.gloucestershirelive.co.uk)
2. ^ South Gloucestershire (www.gloucestershirelive.co.uk)
3. ^ I live in Cheltenham's Zone 15 and every day is a nightmare (www.gloucestershirelive.co.uk)
4. ^ Pilot's heartstopping last seconds before plane crash landed near Cheltenham (www.gloucestershirelive.co.uk)