National Highways is carrying out the weekend demolition of two deteriorating pedestrian footbridges over the M5 in Gloucestershire. The critical engineering works began late Friday, October 16, 2026, and required a full motorway shutdown in both directions between junction 11 near Cheltenham and junction 12 near Gloucester, including junction 11A.
The scheduled closure is set to remain in effect until 6:00 a.m. BST on Monday, October 19, 2026. While the project is proceeding smoothly according to project leads, the disruption has generated substantial traffic queues on surrounding routes, including the A38, A417, and A40 around Gloucester, affecting motorists traveling long distances across the region.
Why the Uphill Court and Grove Court Footbridges Are Being Removed
The two targeted infrastructure assets, known locally as the Uphill Court and Grove Court footbridges, have stood over the active motorway for approximately 60 years. According to National Highways, recurring winter freeze-thaw cycles over decades have severely damaged their concrete edges.
Officials noted that the structures were pushed beyond repair. They posed an immediate hazard, as damaged concrete could potentially detach and fall onto high-speed traffic below. Terry Robinson from National Highways emphasized that the bridges would not have survived another winter season without catastrophic failure risks.
Operations, Safety Measures, and Traffic Management
To protect the road surface and ensure public safety during the intensive weekend operations, specialized crash mats were placed directly onto the motorway lanes to catch any falling debris. Coordinated closely with Gloucestershire County Council, the meticulous demolition plan aims to clear the spans safely while minimizing potential overruns.
Despite careful planning, stranded drivers reported heavy delays. Paula Goddard, traveling from Telford to Devon, described the diversions near junction 11A as a frustrating ordeal, while motorcyclist Bruce Jackson called the alternative routes cumbersome during his journey from Sheffield to Plymouth.
Responding to public frustration, Robinson stated that crews are working diligently around the clock. They will attempt to reopen the motorway ahead of schedule if conditions allow safely. Both demolished footbridges are scheduled to be fully replaced by modern, compliant structures by 2029.
