Motoring Key bridge over the M5 shut until next summer for repairs
ABRIDGE over the M5 is now shut for repairs and is not scheduled to reopen for another 13 months.
This week motorists were confronted with diversion and road closure signs along the B4634 Gloucester Road near Staverton.
The bridge, which goes over the M5 between junctions 10 for Cheltenham and 11 for the A40 Golden Valley Bypass, is in need of concrete repairs, waterproofing, fencing and resurfacing.
It is a popular link road for people in parts of Cheltenham to access the Aldi store off Tewkesbury Road as well as the Gallagher and Kingsditch retail parks.
It is not due to reopen until August 13 2021, unless work is completed ahead of schedule.
The closure will also affect cyclists and pedestrians.
Diversions are via the B4634 and A4019 to the North East of the bridge, and via the B4063 and A40 to the South West.
Highways England has said the repairs will make people’s journeys smoother and will protect the bridge for years to come.
And while the closure will affect journey times, the works have been described as “vital improvements.”
Motorists who will be affected by the closure will include people from Churchdown who use it to head towards the west of Cheltenham and on to the M5.
It is also one of the routes to the popular House in the Tree pub, which is just off the Old Gloucester Road.
The road gets particularly busy, especially at its southbound junction with the B4063.
One person on twitter, commenting on the closure, said: “The problem is that, although there are routes round it (Hayden lane, Staverton/boddington), they will be quite dangerous with all the inevitable traffic.”