Amazing video shows race against time to demolish M4 bridge with 'serious problems'

The bridge was closed in July 2023 when inspectors found cracks and was finally dismantled last month.

New behind the scenes footage shows the race against time contractors faced to demolish a bridge over the M4 - and have the busy motorway back open in time for Monday morning rush hour.

National Highways contractors moved in last month to dismantle the old A432 Badminton Road bridge, which crossed over the M4 as part of the main road between Yate and Bristol. The bridge was closed in July 2023 when inspectors found cracks.

A stretch of the motorway was shut for a weekend at the end of March while the work was carried out.

Starting from the edges of the bridge, the crew worked inwards before allowing it to collapse onto the M4 below over a near-60 hour period.

National Highways has now shared a video showing the process of how the bridge was reduced to its component parts. With dramatic music over the top, excavators can be seen tearing through concrete and steel cables while large wheel loaders remove material from the site.

Terry Robinson, engineering team manager for National Highways, explained: "We found some serious problems with the post-tensioning system, which led us to demolish it and replace the bridge.

"Post-tension bridges are steel cables that are placed through the structures and over the years because of construction defects those cables have actually corroded.

"We've got 60 hours, the road closed and then back open again for Monday morning traffic."

He said the demolition project was an "absolutely massive team effort", hailing the work of contractors, subcontractors and workers from National Highways.

The old bridge, constructed in 1966, was designed “at a time when future maintenance was less of a consideration" according to National Highways.

Work build a new bridge is due to begin soon but it could take up to a year to be completed. The new structure will be built in the same place and will have three lanes, two of which will run southbound towards Wick Wick Roundabout.

National Highways and South Gloucestershire Council hope to have the bridge open to the public in March 2026.