M3 Bagshot Heath Footbridge Replacement Delayed Due to Concrete Issue

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The planned replacement of the Bagshot Heath footbridge over the M3 motorway has been postponed, National Highways confirmed this week. The pedestrian bridge, which once connected Bagshot and Lightwater Country Park, was closed in 2023 after concerns emerged about the risk of tall vehicles striking the structure. It was subsequently demolished in December of that year, with the installation of a new bridge originally scheduled between 25 and 28 April 2025.

However, National Highways has now announced that the project is on hold due to a technical problem with the concrete being used in the construction. As a result, the bridge is unlikely to reopen in May as initially planned.

The entrance to the footbridge at Bagshot Heath remains fenced off, with signage indicating it is closed for safety reasons. The delay means that the M3 motorway, which was set to be closed between junctions 3 and 4 for the bridge installation, will now remain open as usual over the weekend.

In a statement, National Highways said:

“We fully appreciate and acknowledge how disappointed people were that we had to postpone installing the Bagshot Heath footbridge.

“Unfortunately our latest assessment showed that the concrete in one of the bridge abutments had not hardened as expected.

“We are urgently working with our contractor to understand why this happened, and are carrying out further tests to see how we can fix the situation as quickly as possible.

“We apologise for the inconvenience and thank the local community for their patience and understanding.”

The footbridge has long served as a vital link for pedestrians and cyclists between the two communities. Local councillors and residents have previously expressed concern over the extended closure, citing the importance of the crossing and the inconvenience caused by lengthy detours.

National Highways has not yet provided a revised timeline for the completion of the replacement footbridge, but assures the public that efforts are underway to resolve the issue and resume work as soon as possible.