A432 to open in June
The new A432 Badminton Road bridge over the M4 will open to traffic for the first time this June, National Highways has announced today.
The multi-million-pound bridge will open to non-motorised users (including pedestrians and cyclists) from the afternoon of Friday 19 June, before traffic management is removed overnight and all vehicles can use the bridge from 7am on Saturday 20 June.
Positive progress has been made on the scheme over recently months, and it has now reached a stage where the bridge has been reconnected to the road network either side of the M4.
Sean Walsh, Route Manager for National Highways, said: “We’re delighted to say that we’ll be opening the new and improved bridge this June, much faster than usual for a project of this size.
“Since we announced the old bridge needed to be demolished, the team have worked incredibly hard to deliver this project in just two and half years, half of the five years it would normally take.
“This new bridge will make a significant and positive difference to the journeys of visitors, local communities, and businesses. I would like to thank everyone in South Gloucestershire for their patience and support during this project.”
Before the bridge can open, there are some remaining M4 closures required to complete construction work safely:
5 – 9 May – The M4 will be closed in both directions overnight (8pm – 6am) between junctions 18 and 19.
1 – 6 June – The M4 will be closed in both directions overnight (8pm – 6am) between junctions 18 and 19.
8 – 13 June – There will be lane closures on the M4 in both directions between junction 18 and 19 to finish work on the embankments by the bridge.
Drivers are advised to plan their journeys in advance and avoid the area, if possible, to avoid delays.
Overnight closures allow for the safe completion of the complex work on the A432 Badminton Road Bridge while traffic volumes are lower on the M4.
South Gloucestershire Council has been progressing transport improvements on both sides of the M4 overbridge. Works on the A4174 were completed during the closure, while improvements along the A432 Badminton Road began in March 2025. Work started near the bridge to take advantage of the closure and are progressing towards Yate.
Although some work remains, the scheme is on track and due to be completed by March 2027.
Leader of South Gloucestershire Council, councillor Maggie Tyrrell and Co-Leader, councillor Ian Boulton, said: “We welcome the opening of the new A432 M4 overbridge, which will come as a huge relief to everyone affected by its closure. This is a vital route between Yate and Bristol, and its reopening means local communities along it are reconnected, helping people get to work, school, shops and services more easily, and restoring an important link for local businesses.
“It is important to recognise the scale of what has been achieved. The decision to demolish and rebuild the bridge was unplanned, and every aspect of this project – from design through to delivery – had to be developed from a standing start and a blank page. That work has taken place alongside the challenge of managing disruption on one of the busiest stretches of motorway in the region.
“We have worked closely with National Highways throughout the process, providing our input into the design and putting measures in place to help minimise the impact of the closure on the surrounding road network. We would like to thank residents, businesses and road users for their patience and understanding while this significant and essential piece of infrastructure has been rebuilt.”
Constructed in 1966, the Badminton Road bridge was a concrete post tensioned structure. In July 2023, a planned detailed structural investigation revealed problems on the underside of the bridge which meant it had to be closed to traffic.
Having considered the options, demolishing and replacing the existing structure was the quickest and most economical approach to restoring this important local link.
In September 2025, eight steel beams were lifted into place across the motorway, marking the last full weekend closure of the M4 for this scheme and the final major stage of reconstruction.
The new bridge – 46.5m in length and 20m wide – spans eight lanes of motorway but will be slightly wider than the old one.
This is to ensure the road lanes and pavements are wide enough to meet today’s safety standards. The barriers along the sides are higher to keep people walking and cycling safer.
More information about the scheme can be seen on the web page.
