Press release

Drivers advised to plan journeys into Bristol during M32 weekend closure

Drivers advised to find alternative routes into Bristol city while the MetroBus bridge installation takes place.

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Drivers looking to visit Bristol on the weekend of 10 to 12 June are advised to find alternative routes into the city while the M32 is closed for the MetroBus bridge installation.

The M32 will be fully closed between junctions 1 and 2 from 8pm on Friday, 10 June, until 6am on Sunday, 12 June, to allow Bristol City Council, South Gloucestershire Council, the West of England Partnership and MetroBus to install a dedicated bus lane bridge across the road.

To minimise disruption, Highways England will carry out survey work along the M32 during that weekend, which will necessitate overnight closures of both carriageways between junctions 2 and 3, from 8pm on Friday, 10 June, until 6am on Sunday, 12 June, and from 6pm on the Sunday until 6am on Monday, 13 June.

The Highways England work will include barrier, drainage and surfacing investigations, as well as some light column removal, along the Eastville viaduct.

And a spokesperson said:

We have taken this opportunity to carry out our own essential survey work while the M32 is closed for the MetroBus bridge installation to reduce the need for future closures on the M32.

We recognise the impact this work will have on our customers, so we have worked with MetroBus to plan carefully so that closures take place at the weekend when traffic levels are lower.

However, it is anticipated that diversion routes could become congested so consideration should be given to using alternative transport such as trains or the park and ride facilities at Avonmouth, Long Ashton or Brislington, which will all be open on both Saturday and Sunday.

While the weekend closures are in place, Highways England is advising drivers to find alternative routes.

Motorists travelling to Bristol from the east are advised to use junction 18 of the M4, the A46 and A420, northbound drivers can utilise M5 junction 18, from the south M5 junction 16 and for those travelling from Wales to use the M49.

For the full diversion routes and more details on the closures, go to Travelwest website.

Highways England provides live traffic information via its website or from a phone or mobile device at m.highways.gov.uk.

Travel information is also available by phone from the Highways England Customer Contact Centre on 0300 123 5000 and updates will be provided via Twitter.

General enquiries

Members of the public should contact the Highways England customer contact centre on 0300 123 5000.

Media enquiries

Journalists should contact the Highways England press office on 0844 693 1448 and use the menu to speak to the most appropriate press officer.

Published 6 June 2016