A40 set for major investment

The Over Bridge carries the dual carriageway of the A40 across the River Severn at Over, near Gloucester, with 5,000 vehicles an hour using the structure during peak times.

Having been built in the 1970s, the work will extend the life of the bridge and reduce the risk of unplanned closures for emergency maintenance work in the future, delivering a more resilient and more reliable route for local communities, businesses and freight.

From June 2026 to March 2027, National Highways will be carrying out repairs and maintenance work on the bridge including repairs to the concrete, new waterproofing, better drainage and other improvements.

Terry Robinson, Engineering Lead for National Highways, said:

“Many of the motorways and major A roads we manage were built around 60 years ago and need renewing to ensure they remain fit for purpose for generations to come.

“The A40 at Over is now in need of significant work, which is vital to keep drivers safe and the route running into the future.

“We’re expecting this work to cause significant delays in the area during this complex scheme and we’re advising users to plan their journeys and use alternative routes where possible, especially during peak hours.

“We’re grateful to people for their patience while this essential maintenance is carried out.”

The dual carriageway is a key part of the road network connecting Gloucester, Cheltenham and Ross on Wye and the A40 connects England and Wales.

Preparation works will begin on 8th June 2026 to install the site compound which will be located on the verge area between the dedicated slip road from the A417 Over Causeway to the A40 Westbound.

As a result, the slip road will be closed to traffic and will remain closed for the duration of the works.

The main works will commence on 29th June 2026 until March 2027, using a mixture of lane closures, contraflows and a reduced speed limit of 30mph for the safety of motorists and workers. There will also be some unavoidable overnight closures with a clearly marked diversion route.

This ensures the vital route can remain open throughout the works whilst ensuring the safety of users and workers.

Traffic management is set in a phased approach to ensure disruption is kept to a minimum:

• June to March 2027 – Total Closure A417 Over Causeway to A40 Westbound Slip Road
• June to July 2026 – Lane 2 closures in both directions
• July to October 2026 – Eastbound carriageway closure with single lane contraflow on the westbound carriageway
• October 2026 to January 2027 – Westbound carriageway closure with single lane contraflow on the eastbound carriageway
• January to February 2027 – Lane 2 closures in both directions
• February to March 2027 – Removal of all traffic management

CCTV monitoring and a free recovery service will be provided for the duration of the works, with temporary traffic lights at Over Roundabout have been considered to ensure traffic flow. This will be monitored throughout the scheme and introduced if necessary.

Access for residents and businesses will be maintained throughout the project. However, right turn movements will be temporarily restricted, requiring short diversions via the A40 Highnam and A40 Over roundabouts.

The eastbound bus lane will remain in operation up to Horseshoe Drive, where it will merge into the temporary road layout.