Motorists using the A38 between Almondsbury and Thornbury are set to face long delays in the new year when temporary traffic lights with single-lane running will be in operation for several months on a bridge over the M4 motorway.
The reliability of bus services which use this section of the A38, including First Bus T1 & T2 and Stagecoach 10, is also expected to suffer, particularly at peak times.
National Highways (formerly Highways England) says the A38 Almondsbury Overbridge is in need of refurbishment to ensure the durability of the structure and the surfacing.
A spokesperson for National Highways said:
“The works required are extensive and will include the addition of new concrete, renewal of the drainage and the footway. In addition to this, we will replace waterproofing and bridge joints, and renew the surfacing.”
The work will take place in three phases, with single-lane traffic flow in operation during Phases 2 & 3, between 4th January and June 2022.
Phase 1 of the work began on 13th November 2021 and this has seen narrow traffic lanes and a 30mph speed limit introduced at the bridge. One of the footways across the bridge has been closed and this will not reopen until the bridge work is finally completed in June 2022.
Work at the site will mainly be carried out during day-time hours.
There are a number of planned overnight closures of the road, from 8pm to 6am the following morning on the following dates:
- 4th January 2022
- 28th January 2022
- 6th March 2022
- 30th & 31st March 2022
1st & 2nd June 2022- 1st June 2022
- 6th – 10th June 2022
Locally signed diversions will be in place for light traffic. HGVs will be diverted via M5 J14 (Falfield) to J16 (Almondsbury) and vice versa.
Pedestrians can cross the bridge during the works, using the sole remaining footway, except during the overnight closures.
A spokesperson for National Highways said:
“Please note that the dates of overnight closures may be subject to change – we’ll keep you informed via advance roadside warnings.”
“We’ll make every effort to ensure that the impact on the local community and travelling public is kept to a minimum.”
“We always aim to work to programme, however unforeseen circumstances or adverse weather conditions may lead to changes.”
“We apologise in advance for the inconvenience this will cause, and we’ll be mindful of noise at all times and light disturbance during night-time works. There will be no works over the Christmas break or on bank holidays.”
For further information, visit nationalhighways.co.uk, call the National Highways Customer Contact Centre on 0300 123 5000 (open 24/7) or email info@highwaysengland.co.uk
More information and related links:
- South West – Maintenance schemes (National Highways)
- Roadworks (The Journal)
This article originally appeared in the November/December 2021 issue of the Bradley Stoke Journal magazine (on pages 2 & 3). The magazine is delivered FREE, nine times a year, to ALL 8,700 homes in Bradley Stoke. Phone 01454 300 400 to enquire about advertising or leaflet insertion.
Bus diversions on 4th January
UPDATE added 4th January 2022.
The A38 at Almondsbury will be closed overnight to services T1 and T2 between 20:00 and 06:00 on Tuesday 4th January 2022 for bridge repair works.
Bus diversions on 6th March
UPDATE added 1st March 2022.
The A38 at Almondsbury will be closed overnight to service T1 between 20:00 and 06:00 on Sunday 6th March 2022 for further bridge repair works. Find details of diversions on the First Bus website.
Revised closure dates in June
UPDATE added 30th May 2022.
The article has been updated with revised dates for the final overnight road closures in June:
- 1st June 2022
- 6th – 10th June 2022
The May 2022 project newsletter states:
“The bridge will be fully opened, with all traffic management removed on the morning of 11th June 2022.”
The road will remain open, with traffic management in place, at all times over the Platinum Jubilee Bank Holiday and weekend period (2nd – 5th June 2022).
Bus information: T1 service diversion
