National Highways is warning road users that the M4 north of Bristol will be closed to allow steel beams for the new A432 Badminton Road Bridge to be lifted into place.

The M4 will be closed in both directions between junctions 18 (Bath) and 19 (M32) from 7pm Friday, 10th October to 6am Monday, 13th October.

The closure marks a key milestone for the scheme, which will see eight steel beams 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.

Once the beams have been lifted into place, the remainder of the new bridge will be constructed with minimal disruption to the motorway below and will be open to the public in early 2026.

The new bridge – 46.5m in length and 20m wide – will span eight lanes of motorway but will be slightly wider.

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.

Sean Walsh, Route Manager for National Highways, said: “The beam lift is a huge milestone in the construction of the new bridge, but we appreciate that any road closures can be frustrating for people.

“We need to fully close the M4 because we'll be lifting eight 80-tonne steel beams into place, and it’s vital that we keep those doing the work and motorists safe.

“Once complete, the new bridge will help reconnect drivers, businesses and the local communities that have been impacted by the closure."