M4 congestion in Bristol

Two incidents disrupted the M4 around the Almondsbury Interchange, leaving lanes closed and traffic backed up.

M4 congestion hits Bristol after crashes at Almondsbury junction

Two separate incidents disrupted the M4 near the Almondsbury Interchange on the morning of August 12. An accident on the M4 westbound after Junction 19 M32 Bristol caused queues from the J19 exit to J20, with traffic also backing up along the M32 to the A4174 roundabout near Filton. The incident was cleared and traffic began to return to normal by about 8:35 am. Shortly after, a broken down vehicle on the eastbound carriageway at J20 forced two lanes to close, creating new congestion. Inrix said queuing stretched for about five miles along the M4 from Almondsbury to Redwick near the Prince of Wales Bridge, and similar delays affected the M5 as drivers queued to enter the motorway.

The episode shows how quickly a single incident can ripple across a busy corridor. A westbound crash briefly clears, but a separate breakdown soon after can extend delays, affecting thousands of travelers and local businesses.

This underscores the value of real time traffic data. When sites like Inrix provide updates, drivers can adjust routes and timing. For planners, it highlights the need for rapid incident response and clear public guidance at bottlenecks like Almondsbury.

Highlights

The morning rush is a reminder that road travel depends on quick fixes and clear information.