Wellbeing
Northway Parish Council is calling on National Highways to make safety improvements to the Northway Lane bridge over the M5 by raising the height of the railings
Northway Parish Council is Calling for Safety Improvements to Northway Lane M5 Overbridge
Published: 4 February 2026
Northway Parish Council has launched a petition requesting that National Highways improve safety on the Northway Lane M5 Overbridge by raising the height of the existing railings.
The bridge is used daily by pedestrians, cyclists, families, and commuters, and forms an important link within the community. However, the Parish Council has growing concerns that the current railing height does not provide an adequate level of protection for all users, particularly children and vulnerable individuals.
Northway Parish Council understands that residents are frustrated about many local issues, including potholes, traffic speeds and road safety. These concerns are valid, and the Council continues to raise them with the relevant authority.
It is important, however, to clarify that the Northway Lane M5 Overbridge is the responsibility of National Highways, not the Parish Council and not Gloucestershire County Council. Any funding used to improve safety on this bridge cannot be reallocated to potholes, traffic calming, or other local highways issues in Northway. If National Highways do not invest in this bridge, that funding will be prioritised elsewhere on the national motorway network, often for similar structures in other parts of the country.
Issues such as potholes, road maintenance and traffic calming fall under the responsibility of Gloucestershire County Council, and residents are right to continue pressing them for action. This petition does not replace or undermine that — it is a separate request to a separate organisation.
Some comments have suggested that increasing railing heights would not prevent harm because people who are struggling may “find another way”. While mental health is complex, national safety guidance consistently recognises that reducing access to high-risk locations can prevent impulsive actions and save lives. Just as importantly, incidents on motorway bridges have a profound and lasting impact on others — including drivers, passengers, emergency services and witnesses travelling below. Many people carry that trauma for the rest of their lives.
The Council also wishes to highlight that hundreds of children and young people cross this bridge regularly. The current railing height does not reflect modern expectations for safety. Children can be distracted, upset, bullied, overtired, or simply behaving like children. Improving the railings would provide reassurance to families and reduce risk in everyday situations, not just extreme ones.
This campaign is not about choosing one improvement over another. Signing the petition does not mean giving up on potholes, traffic calming, or any other priority for Northway. It simply asks National Highways to make a structure they are responsible for safer.
If these improvements help prevent harm, reduce trauma, or protect even one person — whether a child, a pedestrian, or someone experiencing a difficult moment — the Parish Council believes it is worth supporting.
We thank residents for engaging in the discussion and encourage continued, respectful dialogue on all issues affecting our community.
Residents can support the campaign by signing the petition at:
https://www.change.org/BridgepetitionNorthway