Commons Sense

House of Commons · Adjournment Debate

A432 Badminton Road Bridge 2025-01-29

29 January 2025 · 2 other contributors

Opened by Claire Young LD Thornbury and Yate

Transport

Summarised by AI from the official record, so it can contain mistakes.

Read the full transcript on Parliament.uk

At a glance

Claire Young raised concerns about a432 badminton road bridge 2025-01-29 in the House of Commons. A government minister responded. Other MPs also contributed.

Key points

  • The A432 M4 overbridge, built in 1966, was closed due to structural issues causing traffic disruption.
  • Local businesses and residents face daily challenges with road diversions and infrastructure damage.
  • The MP called for expedited bridge replacement and safety assessments of similar structures.

How the debate unfolded

MPs spoke in turn to share their views and ask questions. Here's what each person said.

Opened the debate

Claire Young LD Thornbury and Yate

The A432 M4 overbridge, erected in 1966, was closed by National Highways due to structural issues, leading to significant traffic disruption for local residents. The closure has caused immense hardship on local businesses and the community, with major road closures set to last until spring 2026. Local residents face daily challenges with diversions using unsuitable roads, exacerbating flooding and damaging local infrastructure. The MP emphasises the need for expedited bridge replacement, comprehensive safety assessments of similar bridges, support for affected businesses, and a review of how National Highways manages such disruptions.

Other contributors (2)
  • Claire Hazelgrove Lab Filton and Bradley Stoke

    Welcomes the debate but notes the closure impacts her constituency as well, highlighting similar concerns about residents' daily struggles.

  • Claire Hazelgrove Lab Filton and Bradley Stoke

    My hon. Friend highlighted the importance of collaboration between MPs and council leaders to address the concerns of local residents and businesses affected by the closure.

Government Response

Government Minister

The Minister's response has not been provided in the given transcript excerpt. The extract includes only the speech by the lead MP and an intervention from another MP but lacks any ministerial statement or conclusions to address the issues raised. The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Transport, Simon Lightwood, acknowledged the importance of the debate and thanked Claire Young for raising these critical issues. He highlighted the Government’s commitment to road safety by announcing plans to publish a new road safety strategy within a decade. The minister emphasised that investment in our strategic road network is essential for economic growth and social mobility, noting that the closure of the A432 M4 overbridge since July 2023 was necessary due to structural issues identified during a detailed survey by National Highways. Lightwood assured the hon. Member that National Highways has worked diligently to expedite the replacement project, which is expected to take three years instead of the usual five years for such projects. The minister also mentioned ongoing efforts to mitigate disruption and improve traffic management arrangements in consultation with South Gloucestershire council. He affirmed that National Highways follows a robust inspection regime to ensure the safety of all road users, conducting general visual inspections every two years and more detailed principal inspections every six years. The minister further outlined plans for compensation where required by legislation and ongoing work to refine traffic management arrangements on local roads. He concluded by reaffirming the Government’s commitment to addressing road safety issues while recognising the importance of continued collaboration between National Highways, councils, and MPs.

▸ Assessment & feedback
Summary accuracy