OVERNIGHT closures along the M4 near Yate are set to begin tonight as repair work continues following the discovery of "cracking" and "structural failures" in a major overbridge.

National Highways says work on the A432 Badminton Road overbridge is continuing, but the M4 will be closed beginning at 8pm tonight to begin the next stage of evaluations.

The organisation closed the A432 bridge along the main road between Yate and Bristol last month after finding “accelerated deterioration” to the south-east underside of the structure, which was built in 1966.

Closures will now be in place between junctions 18 and 19 of the M4 between 8pm and 6am from tonight, Monday, August 7 to Saturday, August 12. 

National Highways say “the noisiest works” will be completed by 11pm where “possible”.

Drivers are advised to use the following diversions:

For the closure of the M4, motorists should use the following diversion:

•    Westbound via the A46 up to the A420 and back onto the M32 via A4174

•    Eastbound in reverse

During the works, the A432 Badminton Road overbridge will still remain closed.

Diversions for the A432 Badminton Road closure:

•    Northbound via the B4465 Westerleigh Road up to A46 and into Yate via the A432

•    Southbound in reverse

Motorists are also advised to use the A420 and A46 for Yate from the Hicks Gate direction on the A4174, and motorway users to use the M4 junction 18 for Yate, rather than the M32 and A4174.

Long queues and delays have already been reported by frustrated drivers as a result of the A432 closure, with Yate mayor Cheryl Kirby stating that the closure is having a "big impact on the community."

Meanwhile in an update two weeks ago, National Highways previously said the earliest the A432 could reopen would be December 2023.

READ MORE: Yate residents warned that traffic chaos will last until end of year

Sean Walsh route manager from National Highways said: “We appreciate closures are frustrating, but we can reassure drivers that safety is and always will be our top priority.

“That is why we are carrying out this essential and complex investigation work under a full closure of the M4 below.

“We would like to apologise in advance for any inconvenience this may cause and ask those travelling to please allow additional time for your journeys.”

Gazette Series: The A432 Badminton Road overbridge closure The A432 Badminton Road overbridge closure (Image: South Gloucestershire Council)

Gazette Series: A stretch of the M4 will be shut overnight from today until Saturday A stretch of the M4 will be shut overnight from today until Saturday (Image: Google Maps)