🚧 A432 Badminton Road Bridge

• A432 M4 Overbridge Closure Impact: The A432 M4 overbridge, crucial for travel between Thornbury and Yate and Bristol, was closed in June 2023 due to safety concerns, and it won’t reopen until spring 2026. The closure affects around 16,000 daily vehicles.

• Local Traffic and Road Conditions: With the bridge closed, local roads like Henfield Road and Ram Hill, not designed for heavy traffic, are overwhelmed, leading to long queues, safety issues for residents exiting properties, increased potholes, and damage to road edges. Heavy goods vehicles are using restricted roads without enforcement.

• Flooding and Isolation: The increased traffic has exacerbated flooding, particularly on Henfield Road, making residents feel isolated, especially when other routes are flooded.

• Economic Impact on Businesses: Local businesses, such as the Bigger Eater burger van, Viaduct Café, PM Autos, and The Golden Heart pub, have suffered significant losses due to lost passing trade, with some at risk of closing.

• National Highways and Local Council Efforts: National Highways is responsible for the bridge and has funded some mitigation measures, but South Gloucestershire council has had to manage local road network impacts with limited resources. The council has implemented traffic management measures and improved communication with residents.

• Long-term Bridge Replacement Concerns: The bridge is part of a larger issue involving post-tensioned concrete bridges across the UK, many of which may require expensive and potentially damaging inspections. There’s a risk of similar disruptions in other communities.

• Request for Action: The MP asks the Minister to accelerate the bridge reopening, ensure the safety of similar bridges nationwide, and support affected residents, businesses, and local authorities during such closures.

• Government Response: The Minister acknowledges the disruption caused by the closure but highlights the complexity of the project and the safety concerns that necessitated it. National Highways is working to minimize disruption and will continue to apply lessons learned to future projects.

• Compensation and Support: Current legislation does not compensate businesses for temporary loss of earnings due to road works. National Highways will keep working with South Gloucestershire council to refine traffic management.

• Road Safety Strategy: The government plans to publish a new road safety strategy, emphasizing the maintenance of vital structures as part of its mission-driven approach to infrastructure.

The disagreement displayed in the session is minimal. Throughout the transcript, there is a general agreement on the seriousness of the issue with the A432 Badminton Road M4 overbridge closure and the impact it has on local residents and businesses. Here’s a detailed breakdown of the interactions and why the rating is low for disagreement:

1. Claire Young’s (Thornbury and Yate) Presentation: She describes the situation, the impact on the local community, businesses, and the broader implications for post-tensioned concrete bridges across the UK. Her requests focus on the need for National Highways to expedite the project, assess the safety of similar bridges, and support affected communities and businesses. Her tone is informative and requesting rather than confrontational.

2. Claire Hazelgrove’s (Filton and Bradley Stoke) Response: Hazelgrove acknowledges the challenges described by Young, stating agreement and appreciation for the efforts by the council and National Highways to mitigate the impact. She expresses optimism about the long-term benefits of the new bridge, indicating support for the ongoing efforts rather than disputing them. There’s a slight dissatisfaction expressed about not being notified about the debate, but it’s stated in a manner that prioritizes the continuation of cooperative efforts.

3. Simon Lightwood’s (Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Transport) Response: Lightwood responds positively, acknowledging the concerns raised by both MPs. He outlines the government’s focus on road safety and investment in infrastructure, explaining the necessary steps taken due to the bridge’s condition and the efforts to minimize closure time. He also addresses the concerns about compensation and the inspection and maintenance protocols of National Highways. His responses are detailed and aim to reassure rather than escalate any sense of disagreement.

Examples of minimal disagreement: - Claire Hazelgrove’s mention of not being notified about the debate could be seen as a point of mild disagreement, but it is not escalated into contention and does not derail the focus on the issue at hand. - The discussion on the timeline of the bridge replacement and the impact on local businesses shows a difference in perspective about what is achievable, but no direct confrontation or strong disagreement is evident. Young seeks faster action, and Lightwood explains the steps already taken to expedite the project within practical limits.

Overall, the session is marked by a constructive dialogue where concerns are raised, acknowledged, and addressed with a focus on finding solutions rather than engaging in conflict, hence the rating of 1 for disagreement.