Trench Lane road closure extended by another month

Photo of a road closure at the Trench Lane M4 over bridge.
Road closure at the Trench Lane M4 over bridge in October 2020.

An important route between Bradley Stoke and towns and villages to the north looks set to remain closed for another month after a bridge refurbishment project being carried out by Highways England encountered further unanticipated issues.

Trench Lane, which links Woodlands Lane in north Bradley Stoke with Old Gloucester Road, has been closed since 27th July 2020 to allow Highways England to carry out repairs to the M4 motorway over bridge. The work was originally scheduled to be completed by the first week in September, but the anticipated completion date was put back to 19th October, and more recently to 22nd October.

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Journal readers have pointed out that little work seems to have been carried out on the top side of the bridge since early September and photographs taken earlier this week (see below) suggested that a reopening in October seemed unlikely.

Phooto of the Trench Lane M4 over bridge.
Trench lane M4 over bridge, still closed to traffic on Tuesday 20th October 2020.

In response to a query from the Journal, Highways England has today revealed that the project has experienced further delays and issued a revised completion date of “end of November

Highways England project manager Tom Elliott explained:

“Since starting the bridge refurbishment scheme, we’ve identified additional maintenance work requiring further surveys and design work. The work has involved overnight closures of the M4 carriageway and we are working hard to complete this as quickly and safely as possible.”

“The Trench Lane bridge will be reopened as soon as it safe to do so. We are currently working towards a revised completion date at the end of November, and we thank people for their patience while this essential work is carried out.”

A post on the South Gloucestershire Council StreetCare page on Facebook gives a slightly more specific anticipated completion date:

“They [Highways England] are now working towards Friday 27th November 2020 for completion.”

Related link: Roadworks in Bradley Stoke (The Journal)

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6 comments

  1. Wow, I wonder what excuse they will give at the end of November to extend it even further? 4 months to make repairs is a joke. Shouldn’t take that long to build one from scratch! Every time I’ve past it there is no one there, the same pile of materials that was there 7 weeks ago totally untouched. English workmen at it’s best!

  2. There hasn’t been any workers there for ages. And when they are there they spend most of their time sat in their vans on their phones.

  3. This must be a bridge strengthening project for the new proposed 1500 houses they want to build on the golf course,taking advantage of CV-19 from any meetings until it is decided.The fact that the road system to the golf course would be through Woodlands Lane and the The Old Gloucester Roads which are both inadequate as the council turn a blind eye to everyone allowed to drive at 50 to 60 MPH without a problem will make it a nightmare for residents of Woodlands Lane and Pear Tree Road who have to avoid speeding cars every time they leave home.

  4. Walking past yesterday at 5pm, was surprised to see something actually happening. Looks like they were applying a sealant paint to the concrete. Still need to resurface with tarmac.

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