Traffic congestion has increased on the M4 this afternoon following a car collision that prompted a significant response from emergency services. The crash has resulted in the closure of one lane on a stretch of the westbound motorway near Junction 18, exacerbating delays between Bristol and Bath due to ongoing construction on the A432 Badminton Road Bridge.
An individual has been apprehended under suspicion of a driving offense related to the incident. Authorities reported that the driver attempted to flee the scene by foot after ignoring the road closure put in place for construction, but was located with the assistance of a police helicopter.
Updates from National Highways 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 down in both directions between J18 Tormarton and J19 M32, Bristol throughout the weekend for planned bridge work. It is estimated that 3,000 to 4,000 vehicles pass through this section of the motorway per hour during peak weekend hours. Motorists had already been advised to avoid the area and make alternate travel arrangements prior to today’s collision.
The closure of the M4 in both directions is necessary to facilitate the placement of steel beams for the new A432 Badminton Road Bridge. The closure between Bristol and Bath commenced yesterday at 7pm.
A driver was arrested and transported to a hospital following the afternoon crash near Junction 18 westbound. The collision occurred at a location where road maintenance is currently underway.