Traffic congestion has increased on the M4 this afternoon following a car collision that prompted a significant emergency services reaction. The crash has resulted in the closure of only one lane on a segment of the westbound motorway near Junction 18, exacerbating the existing disruptions between Bristol and Bath due to scheduled maintenance on the A432 Badminton Road Bridge.
An individual has been apprehended on suspicion of a driving offense related to the incident. According to the police, the driver attempted to flee the scene on foot after disregarding the roadworks’ hard closure, but was located with the assistance of a police helicopter.
The latest updates indicate that a vehicle was involved in the earlier crash on the M4 westbound between junctions J17 and J18. Normal traffic flow is anticipated to resume within the next thirty minutes.
The M4 will be shut in both directions between J18 Tormarton and J19 M32, Bristol throughout the weekend for planned bridge construction activities. It is estimated that during peak weekend hours, approximately 3,000 to 4,000 vehicles utilize this stretch of the motorway, and motorists were previously advised to avoid the area and make alternative travel arrangements.
The closure of the M4 in both directions is necessary to facilitate the positioning of steel beams for the new A432 Badminton Road Bridge. The closure between Bristol and Bath commenced last night at 7 pm.
A police spokesperson reported that a driver was arrested after attempting to leave the scene on foot near Junction 18 westbound due to failure to adhere to the roadworks’ hard closure. The driver is under suspicion of a driving offense and is being transported to a hospital for evaluation. Vehicle recovery operations are scheduled for later in the day.
Following the incident, a driver was arrested and taken to a hospital, as confirmed by the police. The crash occurred near the westbound exit at junction 18, where roadworks are currently ongoing.