M3 Bagshot Heath Footbridge: Installation Schedule
Update from National Highways outlining the next steps for the long-awaited footbridge installation
The Bagshot–Lightwater footbridge spans the M3, providing a key walking route between two connected communities. Since its closure on 3 October 2023 due to safety concerns, residents have faced a 3.3km diversion with multiple hazardous crossings — disproportionately affecting those without access to cars or public transport.
National Highways Statement: 23 May 2025
Dear Al Pinkerton,
New footbridge for M3 at Bagshot Heath
Following on from my letter dated 23 April, I’m writing to provide you with a further update on the installation of the new footbridge over the M3 at Bagshot Heath.
Back in April we regrettably had to postpone the lift of the new footbridge after a routine test of the concrete failed to meet the required strength. When concrete is poured a sample of each batch is prepared and taken away from site for testing 28 days later to confirm the concrete has reached its required strength. Unfortunately, 2 out of 16 samples failed to reach the required design strength leading to delay in the bridge installation.
Since then, we have carried out intrusive investigations on both abutments to confirm if the actual concrete of the bridge had cured correctly and had reached sufficient strength as the samples are only representative. We are pleased to say that the results of this testing showed that both abutments have sufficient strength. We are therefore now able to plan the new dates for the weekend closure of the M3 to lift the bridge into place.
Working closely with the local highway authorities, we have identified the weekend of Friday 11 July to Monday 14 July to undertake the bridge lift. Whilst this date is some time away from now, it is the first available weekend that avoids clashes with other road closures in the area and key local events to ensure we minimise the impact of the road closure on the local community and the travelling public.
If we experience any adverse weather conditions, such as high winds that can impact crane operations, we have the following weekend, Friday 18 July to Monday 21 July booked as a contingency, once the bridge has been successfully lifted into place, we require ten overnight closures, five on each carriageway to install the anti-climb mesh. We will then be able to announce a date for when the bridge will be open for public use by the communities. We understand how disappointing it was for the local community when the lift was postponed but we appreciate their patience and understanding whilst we have resolved this issue and ensure the bridge installation is safe.
I will write to you again in the coming weeks with further information and likely timeline for further works. My team and I will also be happy to discuss this latest development in a meeting and we will be reaching out to the local councillors offering the same. If there are any changes to our key dates, we will contact you. In the meantime, current information on the footbridge is online at: https://nationalhighways.co.uk/our-roads/south-east/m3-bagshot-heath-footbridge/
For further information, please contact our Programme Delivery Manager, Gemma Luckhurst who will be pleased to respond. Gemma can be contacted by email at gemma.luckhurst@nationalhighways.co.uk. For any other queries on our network your constituents can contact our Customer Contact Centre by email at info@nationalhighways.co.uk or by telephone on 0300 123 5000.
Kind regards,
National Highways