Traffic congestion has built up on the M4 this afternoon due to a vehicle collision that triggered a significant response from emergency services. The crash has led to the closure of all but one lane on a stretch of the motorway near Junction 18 in the westbound direction, exacerbating the existing disruptions caused by ongoing construction activities on the new A432 Badminton Road Bridge between Bristol and Bath.
Following the incident, one individual has been apprehended on suspicion of a driving offense related to the collision. Authorities disclosed that the driver attempted to flee the scene on foot after disregarding the road closure implemented for the roadworks but was later located with the assistance of a police helicopter.
The latest updates from National Highways confirm the involvement of a vehicle in the earlier collision on the M4 westbound between junctions J17 and J18. It is anticipated that normal traffic flow will resume within the next thirty minutes.
The M4 will be shut in both directions from J18 Tormarton to J19 M32 in Bristol throughout the weekend to facilitate the scheduled construction of the bridge. With an estimated 3,000 to 4,000 vehicles passing through this section of the motorway every hour during peak weekend periods, motorists had already been advised to avoid the area and make alternative travel arrangements prior to the crash.
The closure of the M4 in both directions is necessary to enable the installation of steel beams for the new A432 Badminton Road Bridge. This closure, spanning between Bristol and Bath, commenced last night at 7 pm.
In a statement, Avon and Somerset Police revealed that a driver was arrested and taken to the hospital following an incident near Junction 18 westbound on the M4, where construction works were ongoing. The arrested individual is under suspicion of a driving offense, and vehicle recovery operations are scheduled for later today.
