The M4 near Wiltshire is to close in both directions for the entire weekend.
The busy motorway between junctions 18 and 19 will shut at 7pm on Friday (18 October) – and reopens two days later, early on Monday morning.
Work is being undertaken on a road bridge over the M4 on the A432 Badminton Road.
The structure, which was built in 1966, was found to have “accelerated deterioration and cracking” following an investigation in July 2023. The bridge has been closed ever since.
Many options were considered, but demolishing and replacing the existing structure has been deemed the quickest and most economical approach.
The M4 closure will take place while National Highways work on the A36 Warminster Road at Limpley Stoke has been paused to allow Wiltshire Council to undertake work on the A350.
A spokesperson for National Highways said the closure will “allow utilities to be diverted that are currently within the bridge before the structure is demolished next year”.
They added: “With 3,000 to 4,000 vehicles using this section of the M4 every hour over peak weekend periods the closure is likely to cause substantial disruption, and drivers are advised, where possible, to avoid the area and plan journeys for alternative times.”
For more information about diversion routes, visit the National Highways website >
Route Manager Sean Walsh said: “This is one of the busiest sections of motorway in the South West which is why we are reminding drivers to plan their journeys during the closure.
“We carefully plan our schemes to limit any inconvenience, but sometimes it’s not possible to carry out the work that’s needed without a closure.
“Our message for anyone who plans to travel on the M4 around Bristol is to avoid the area if you can – if that’s not possible, allow yourself plenty of extra time to complete your journey via our signed diversion routes and expect delays.”
Work on the bridge is set to complete in spring 2026.
