Demolition of M5 bridges is 'going smoothly'

Work is "going smoothly" to remove two crumbling footbridges over the M5.

The motorway is closed in both directions this weekend between junctions 11 (Cheltenham) and 12 (Gloucester) and will not reopen until 06:00 BST on Monday.

Terry Robinson, from National Highways, said: "This has been months in planning and it is going really smoothly at the moment, that is testament to the amount of planning which has gone into it."

Queues have built up around the edge of Gloucester as thousands of vehicles have been diverted from the M5 between the two junctions to allow the footbridges to be removed.

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Terry Robinson said the bridges would not last another winter [BBC]

Traffic is building in Gloucester as vehicles are diverted off the M5 [BBC]

A "lot of traffic" is currently being diverted away from the M5 and onto the A38, A417 and A40.

"We are trying our best to get it open as quickly as we can," Robinson said.

"We never know what is going to happen while we try and take it [the bridge] down."

He said they will try to open the motorway earlier if they can.

The two footbridges - called Uphill Court and Grove Court - have been in place for 60 years and are being demolished because they are prone to freeze-thawing during the winter.

This has caused cracked edges and led to fears that concrete could drop off and onto passing vehicles below.

"It will not last another winter," Robinson said.

The bridges have cracks caused by freeze-thawing in winter [BBC]

Crash mats have been placed on the motorway while the work is happening to catch any falling debris and stop it from damaging the road.

The demolition of the bridges has been co-ordinated between National Highways and Gloucestershire County Council.

Both bridges are due to be replaced by 2029.

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