National Highways will close the M5 between junctions 11 and 12 for a weekend in October to replace two pedestrian footbridges. The Grove Court and Uphill Court bridges have served pedestrians for 64 years but deteriorated beyond repair.
Weekend demolition removes 440 tonnes of material
The 69-metre-long structures will be dismantled using high-reach excavators from 11pm on Friday 16 October until 6am on Monday 19 October. Around 440 tonnes of concrete and 14 tonnes of steel tendons will be taken from the carriageway before reopening for Monday morning traffic.
Closures affect slip roads and roads around M5
To support construction, the northbound exit slip at Junction 11A will close for a week starting Sunday 11 October and again for one week after demolition. The full M5 closure between junctions 11 (Cheltenham) and 12 (Gloucester) covers the weekend demolition period.
Traffic diverted to A38, A40 and A417
Traffic will divert via the A38 through Gloucester, the A40 between Cheltenham and Gloucester, and the A417. Diversion routes avoid clashes with ongoing A40 bridge works at Over. The closure starts later on Friday night to accommodate Gloucester Rugby’s European match.
Safety and planning behind the replacement
The bridges are public rights of way that have exceeded their structural lifespan. National Highways collaborates with Gloucestershire County Council on replacement plans to ensure safe pedestrian crossings and maintain road user safety.
Advice for drivers during closure
National Highways advises drivers to plan journeys in advance, consider alternative routes and expect delays. Ongoing nearby schemes include work on the A417 Missing Link and bridge refurbishment between junctions 15 and 16 near Almondsbury.
Information and updates
Details on the closures and diversions will be available on the project web page before the event. Live travel updates will be provided via National Highways’ travel alerts over the closure weekend.
