Heavy traffic and man arrested amid M4 closure

Severe disruption is expected all weekend

A motorway closure is leading to heavy traffic after a man was arrested for reportedly "failing to observe" it.

The M4 is currently shut between junction 18 for Bath and junction 19 for the M32 while National Highways engineers install eight steel beams for the new A432 Badminton Road Bridge.

There are delays of nearly an hour on either end of the closure and according to National Highways, westbound traffic is building up as far east as junction 17 for Chippenham.

Avon and Somerset Police officers were called after a driver reportedly left the westbound carriageway near junction 18 at 12:15 BST and attempted to flee the scene on foot.

He was found with the help of the National Police Air Service and arrested on suspicion of a driving offence, before being taken to hospital to be checked over for injuries, police said.

The M4 closure will remain in place until 06:00 GMT on Monday, with National Highways strongly advising people to avoid the area and plan their journey for a different time where possible.

They added: "3,000 to 4,000 vehicles use this section of motorway every hour during peak weekend periods. We expect substantial disruption."

It is the last time the motorway is expected to shut fully for the construction of the new bridge, with the A432 expected to reopen to the public in early 2026.