Traffic congestion has increased on the M4 this afternoon following a car collision that prompted a significant emergency response. The crash has resulted in the closure of one lane on a stretch of the motorway near Junction 18 in the westbound direction, compounding the existing traffic disruptions between Bristol and Bath due to scheduled construction activities on the A432 Badminton Road Bridge.
An individual has been apprehended on suspicion of a driving offense related to the incident. Authorities reported that the driver attempted to flee the scene on foot after disregarding the road closure put in place for construction work and was subsequently located with the assistance of a police helicopter.
Updates from National Highways indicate that a vehicle was involved in the earlier collision on the M4 westbound between junctions J17 and J18. Normal traffic flow is anticipated to resume within the next thirty minutes.
Over the weekend, the M4 will be shut in both directions between J18 Tormarton and J19 M32, Bristol to facilitate the installation of steel beams for the new A432 Badminton Road Bridge. It is estimated that 3,000 to 4,000 vehicles per hour typically utilize this motorway segment during peak weekend hours. Motorists were advised to avoid the area and make appropriate travel arrangements even before today’s accident occurred.
The closure of the M4 between Bristol and Bath commenced at 7 pm last night to facilitate the ongoing bridge construction work. The driver involved in the crash near Junction 18 westbound attempted to escape the scene by foot after disregarding the road closure for construction purposes around midday, according to law enforcement.
A spokesperson for Avon and Somerset Police stated, “We received a report at 12:15 pm regarding an incident on the M4 westbound near junction 18 this afternoon. The driver failed to adhere to the roadworks closure and subsequently veered off the carriageway. The driver then tried to flee on foot. A man has been arrested for a driving offense, and he is being taken to the hospital for evaluation. Vehicle recovery operations will be conducted this afternoon.”
Authorities have confirmed that a driver was arrested and transported to the hospital following the crash near the westbound exit at junction 18, where construction activities are ongoing.