Hambrook Bridge (also known as Spring Bridge)

Charlton Kings - Community Updates 

Copt Elm Road Closure update 26 January 2026

Severn Trent Water is carrying out emergency work to repair a collapsed sewer on Copt Elm Road in Charlton Kings. We are sorry to hear that one household has been impacted by the leak and we’re aware Severn Trent Water is taking action to prevent damage spreading to other nearby properties. 

Unfortunately, this also means further disruption in the area which is already impacted by the closure of the A40. Due to the ongoing roadworks in the area we will liaise with Severn Trent Water to provide updates about their emergency works.  
 
As we approach the end of major work to fix the A40 at Hambrook/Spring bridge, the last thing we want to do is share news about a further road closure in the area. However, a partial road closure around the collapsed sewer on Copt Elm Road will be required by Severn Trent Water to access pipes more than 3 metres below the surface.  

Further updates will be provided here.  

Previous community updates

We’re listening to feedback and working on several ways to make the situation better:

• Temporary parking restrictions
  We’re making some temporary changes to help keep everyone safe. To improve pedestrian safety and keep traffic flowing smoothly while work continues on Hambrook Bridge, we’ll be introducing temporary parking restrictions along Church Street, Charlton Kings. Don’t worry – residents will still have full access to cul-de-sacs and their driveways. Thank you for your understanding and support as we work to save Hambrook Bridge.
  
  
• Traffic signals audit
  We have undertaken a significant traffic signals audit not only around the Charlton Kings impacted area, but we have reached further afield to cover all the critical highway routes towards Charlton Kings and implemented a range of actions to mitigate where possible to improve traffic flow and minimise disruption.
  
  
• Civil enforcement and local community policing team
  We have increased civil enforcement patrols throughout Charlton Kings and are taking appropriate action where we can, to enforce current parking restrictions and in particular during school drop-off and pick-up times to mitigate on-street parking issues and address safety issues.
  
  We continue to liaise with the local community policing team in addressing reporting safety issues and concerns.
  
  Police will deal with any traffic offences reported to them through their website where members of the public can submit dashcam footage or photographs.
  Report incidents to your local policing team. 
  
  
• Traffic management
  We have robustly enhanced all of the traffic management including signage around Charlton Kings and all of the traffic routes towards the area to deter vehicles from using the local network and this includes Heavy Goods Vehicles 
  (HGV’S).
  
  We will continue to adapt the traffic management as we receive reports and we would encourage you to report any local traffic management observations and or concerns to our Highways Stakeholder Management & Engagement Team at highwaysstakeholder@gloucestershire.gov.uk
  
  
• Parish council updates
  We will continue to liaise with your local parish council and updates are available on the Charlton Kings Parish Council website.

Minimising Public Disruption

We are committed to minimising disruption to the travelling public:

• A signposted diversion route is in place, and we encourage commuters to plan their journeys accordingly.
• To reduce the duration of full closures, some works are being carried out under temporary traffic lights, allowing partial access to be maintained where safe.

Diversion Route

Background 

Structural remediation of historic bridge: how works have progressed

Here’s what has been completed so far:

• Overhead utility works for mobilisation have been successfully completed.
• A full Ground Penetrating Radar (GPR) scan of underground utilities has been carried out to ensure safety and accuracy.
• De-vegetation works are currently underway.
• Clearance and drainage surveys on the south side of the carriageway have been completed.

A Highly Complex Engineering Challenge

This project involves the remediation of a historically significant structure, believed to have been designed by Isambard Kingdom Brunel. The bridge has suffered extensive damage following a collapse, requiring a highly specialised and sensitive design approach to preserve its heritage while ensuring safety and functionality.

Complicating Factors

• The presence of live fibre optic cables spanning the structure adds significant complexity to the remediation works, requiring careful coordination to avoid service disruption.
• The extent of the damage is clearly visible from the underside of the bridge, where structural elements have been severely compromised.

Without intervention, the condition of the structure is expected to deteriorate rapidly, posing a serious risk of full closure. This would have a major impact on local connectivity and public safety.

Timing and Environmental Constraints

Due to the seasonality of water levels, the works programme is being carefully scheduled to begin as soon as practically possible in the Autumn, to maximise safe access and minimise environmental disruption.

Thank you for your patience and support as we continue to make progress. Further updates will be shared as the project advances.

Work updates

We have removed 270 tonnes of earth with an approximately 100 tonnes still to be removed from around the bridge. The next step involves erecting structures ready for pouring concrete. 

Our contractor has established the works area clearing vegetation and surveying the site. Both telecoms and water services have been relocated to facilitate the works and temporary works such as scaffolding has been established. We have however encountered some issues as we 
have exposed more of the site.

There are a range of factors impacting on the construction programme, the most notable issue relates to the stability and integrity of the wall adjacent to the works and the adjoining property, movement has been identified and monitoring equipment needs to be installed to the property as well as temporary propping and temporary works to make safe the wall. 

Previous updates

In the early stages of the A40 Hambrook project, significant progress was made in preparing for the complex repair works. During February 2025, we focused on completing ecology surveys, advancing design development for the challenging site, and undertaking other preparatory activities essential to shaping the project’s direction

These initial efforts laid the groundwork for the next phases of the scheme. Our attention then turned to securing the necessary consents and planning the works to align with favourable weather conditions, with a particular focus on scheduling key activities during dry periods to ensure effective delivery.

By March 2025, the project continued to move forward. As the bridge spans an Environment Agency (EA) river, EA consent was required for the works. An EA officer was assigned to our case and began reviewing our permit application.

Additional activities included:

• A CCTV drainage survey, was completed on the 17th March, to assess the existing drainage system and inform future solutions
• Coordination with Openreach began regarding the relocation of an overhead cable, which must be moved before construction can begin
• Manual operation of temporary traffic lights during Cheltenham Race Week to accommodate increased traffic volumes

Location

• The location using What3words is ///daisy.wing.mini

Further Information

If you have any further questions, please contact us by emailing:
highwaysstakeholder@gloucestershire.gov.uk

To report a problem on your roads, please use Fix My Street.

Video update from Cllr Joe Harris September 2025. 

Thank you for your patience and support while these essential safety works are carried out. Further updates will be shared as the project advances.