The M5 closes in both directions between junctions 11 and 12 near Gloucester from 11pm on Friday 16 October until 6am on Monday 19 October. This full closure allows National Highways to demolish two footbridges that have deteriorated faster than expected.
Two footbridges removed in one weekend
National Highways is taking down the Grove Court and Uphill Court footbridges. Both span the motorway between junction 11 (Cheltenham) and junction 12 (Gloucester). The M5, including junction 11a, will be fully closed for 60 hours while demolition equipment operates.
The northbound exit slip road at junction 11a has been shut since Sunday 11 October and will remain closed for around a week after the demolition finishes. Drivers can still exit the M5 at junction 11 during this time.
Why demolish the footbridges now?
Both footbridges, which carried public rights of way, have been closed to pedestrians since March. National Highways determined the structures must come down before posing a hazard to motorway traffic below.
The main issue is with the edge beams — the exposed, outer edges of the bridge decks. These have deteriorated badly. Concrete in these beams typically suffers freeze-thaw damage. Water enters cracks, freezes and expands in cold weather, gradually breaking the concrete apart.
On a bridge over a motorway, this creates a risk of concrete falling onto vehicles travelling at 70mph.
Demolition method and traffic management
Demolition will use high-reach excavators to safely remove the concrete and steel. National Highways will clear about 440 tonnes of concrete and 14 tonnes of steel tendons from the carriageway before reopening the motorway.
The full closure begins at 11pm on Friday, deliberately timed to avoid clashing with Gloucester Rugby’s home European match that evening.
National Highways advises drivers to allow extra travel time, follow official diversion signage instead of sat-nav routes, and drive considerately through local villages on diversion roads not designed for heavy traffic.
What happens next?
New Grove Court and Uphill Court footbridges, providing safe access for pedestrians, cyclists and wheelchair users, are planned within the next five years. This depends on funding and network priorities.
Until then, National Highways is working with Gloucestershire County Council to manage the two rights of way.
National Highways has not disclosed the cost of the demolition or named the contractor carrying out the work.
Ongoing maintenance on the M5
This demolition is part of regular upkeep on ageing assets along the M5. Earlier this year, a safety barrier replacement programme near Exeter caused major traffic management.
Drivers between Cheltenham and Gloucester face a full M5 closure from 11pm on 16 October to 6am on 19 October, plus the junction 11a northbound slip road closure for about an extra week.
