New M4 overbridge opens after 'years of mayhem'

Residents say they are "ecstatic" that a £27m new bridge over the M4 has opened after "years of mayhem".

The A432 Badminton Road overbridge, which used to take about 16,000 vehicles a day between Yate and Bristol, was demolished in July 2023 after cracking was found during a routine inspection.

The new bridge opened to pedestrians and cyclists at 12:00 BST and to all vehicles from 07:00 on Saturday.

Sean Walsh, route manager for National Highways, said: "There isn't a place called Bridges R Us. You don't just go to a shop and buy a bridge. We honestly have done it as quickly as we could. We just thank everyone for their patience."

Kevin Brewer, who owns the Bigger Eater on Badminton Road, said it has been three years of mayhem, with traffic lights, diggers, dumpers and rollers working outside his eatery.

He is hoping that trade will now pick up again as the route reopens.

Built in 1966, Badminton Road bridge was demolished in March 2025, causing one of the busiest stretches of the M4 beneath it to close. The new bridge was installed in October 2025.

Walsh said: "One of the big challenges was that there were five different utilities buried within the bridge.

"High-power cables, water mains, gas mains, fibre optics, those had to be diverted away from the bridge under the motorway before we could do anything."

He said it was a complex process, involving a huge number of workers and costing nearly £27m.

In Yate town centre, residents said they are excited to use the new bridge.

"[I've found it] awful," said Sheila Bleaden, from Downend.

"I feel so sorry for the people who live at Westerleigh. Nearly every time you come along there, there's been traffic jams."

Maria Suhartatik, from Yate, who plans to use the bridge to get to work at Southmead Hospital, said: "I'm very happy because it will cut my journey down from 45 minutes."

Donavan Watt, from Lockleaze, added: "I'm ecstatic because it cuts my journey into an easier route, rather than going the long way."

Stuart Kellock volunteers with Yate Community Bike Hub, which is planning a group bike ride from Yate to the bridge to mark its reopening.

"Driving-wise it has been chaos with all the rat runs and the road closures, but again some of it's worked out for the better," he said.

"We are actually celebrating by going out for a nice big ride and then maybe for a beer afterwards.

"I know parents who wouldn't have planned journeys with their kids but now are thinking I could actually do it on a road," he added.

South Gloucestershire Council has thanked the community for putting up with the disruption.

"It's been horrible for everyone and I can't imagine how badly some people have been affected," said Ian Boulton, co-leader of the council.

"It's been three long years but I'm delighted that it has been finished now, within time, within budget, and we can start moving freely again."

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