M5 closes for weekend to demolish unsafe footbridges

Summarised from 2 outlets · Updated 15 Oct, 13:02 · Archive

The M5 between junctions 11 and 12 in Gloucestershire will close from Friday night to Monday morning for demolition of two deteriorating footbridges.

The M5 will close in both directions between junctions 11 and 12 from 11pm on Friday, October 16, until 6am on Monday, October 19, to demolish Grove Court and Uphill Court footbridges. The bridges, which carry public footpaths over the motorway, have been in place for more than 60 years. Both were closed in March after deteriorating beyond repair.

National Highways says the bridges must be removed for public safety. Terry Robinson, south west engineering lead for National Highways, said freeze-thawing during winter causes cracked edges on the bridges that could shed concrete onto the carriageway. Concrete falling onto a live motorway with traffic at 70mph poses a real safety risk, he added. Robinson said the bridges deteriorated quicker than anticipated and would not survive another winter without serious deterioration.

High-reach excavators will dismantle the bridges, removing 440 tonnes of concrete and 14 tonnes of steel tendons. During the closure, traffic will be diverted via the A38 through Gloucester, the A40 between Gloucester and Cheltenham, and the A417. Motorists travelling between the Midlands and South Wales are advised to use the M50. The M5 northbound junction 11a exit slip road is currently closed for equipment storage and is expected to remain closed for about ten more days after the demolition. New bridges will subsequently be built, with replacement currently programmed for 2029, though National Highways hopes to replace them sooner.

How it is being reported

• Safety first in removal of 'deteriorating' bridgesThe M5 will be closed in both directions this weekend, with one of its sliproads already shut.BBC Gloucestershire · 15 Oct, 12:28
• Major M5 route in Gloucestershire to close all weekend - here's whyA SECTION of the M5 will be closed in both directions for a full weekend to allow for demolition works.Wilts & Glos Standard · 14 Oct, 17:00

In this story: M5 · Gloucestershire · Grove Court · Uphill Court · National Highways · Terry Robinson

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