Summary
In the wake of Punchline-Gloucester.com ‘s earlier warning of impending closures , National Highways has issued more detail to guide drivers into a way around this weekend’s M5 disruption. The barriers come in to facilitate the demolition of two bridges near Gloucester, Grove Court and Uphill Court structures being targeted for removal, between junctions 11 and 12.
Details
The two bridges have served as pedestrian footpaths for the past 64 years, but have deteriorated beyond repair and are now in need of replacing, the agency said. They were deemed unsafe and barriered off back in March and both structures will vanish this weekend, with “new, modern standard bridges being constructed in their place in the future,” the agency added.
To enable the demolition work, the M5 will be fully closed between Junction 11 (Cheltenham) and Junction 12 (Gloucester) from 11pm on Friday (16 October) until 6am on Monday (19 October).
Both 69 metres in length, the bridges will be dismantled by high-reach excavators over the weekend, with 440 tonnes of concrete and 14 tonnes of steel tendons removed from the carriageway before the road reopens for Monday morning commuter traffic.
Terry Robinson, South West Engineering Lead for National Highways, said: “Like many of our motorways and structures, the bridges have exceeded their structural lifespan, and replacing them will ensure the safety of road users and keep people and goods moving safely.
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“We’ve communicated the closure to local communities and businesses, but we appreciate the weekend closure will still have impacts for the travelling public.” He thanked road users for their patience and urged drivers is to plan ahead, consider alternative routes and allow extra time for their journeys.
The weekend diversion routes have been carefully planned, the agency said, to “lessen conflict” with the A40 bridge works at Over, and a later Friday closure of 11pm has been arranged to allow for Gloucester Rugby’s European Champions Cup match with French team Union Bordeaux-Begles.
What You Need to Know
To enable the demolition work, the M5 will be fully closed between Junction 11 (Cheltenham) and Junction 12 (Gloucester) from 11pm on Friday (16 October) until 6am on Monday (19 October).
Both 69 metres in length, the bridges will be dismantled by high-reach excavators over the weekend, with 440 tonnes of concrete and 14 tonnes of steel tendons removed from the carriageway before the road reopens for Monday morning commuter traffic.
Report source: Punchline Gloucester
