Funding for new M4 Bristol junction study

Campaigners want a new junction to allow traffic to get onto the M4 from Emersons Green

The government has approved funding for a feasibility study into a new motorway junction in a bid to ease congestion.

The Department for Transport has allocated £500,000 to investigate linking the M4 at Bristol with the A4174 ring road.

Campaigners claim a new 18a junction is needed to reduce the amount of traffic on the M32 heading for the M4.

Work on the study is due to be completed in 2018.

The study will be led jointly by South Gloucestershire Council and Highways England.

In a statement the council said: "A key aim of the scheme is to ease congestion in this part of South Gloucestershire and provide better access to employment hubs such as the Emersons Green Enterprise Area, home to the Bristol and Bath Science Park."