A432 bridge over M4 near Bristol to be demolished and replaced

Wiltshire residents commuting to Bristol and South Gloucestershire may have been impacted by the closure of the A432 bridge over the motorway, near Junction 19.

The route was shut in June to limit any further damage and will remain closed while National Highways carry out a scheme to replace it.

Plans have been revealed for a new, 20-metre-wide bridge that will offer new sustainable transport opportunities and take around two years to deliver.

The damaged bridge over the M4 (Image: National Highways)

Inspections showed neither strengthening nor refurbishing the current bridge would provide a long-term solution to extensive concrete cracking and damage to the post-tensioning system.

Demolition is planned between summer and autumn 2024 while it is hoped construction will be completed in 2025.

National Highways route manager Sean Walsh 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.”