There congestion on the M5 southbound this evening, stretching between junction 16 and junction 20. Traffic jams have been building on motorways around Bristol as holidaymakers head south to enjoy their bank holiday weekends. We will keep you updated with the latest in our live blog below.
Lengthy delays of up to 40 minutes were earlier reported on the Wales-bound carriageway of the M4. Travel experts have warned drivers to expect delays in and around major cities and coasts and advised travellers to set off as early or late as possible, to avoid the worst of the delays.
RAC spokesperson Alice Simpson said: "Our research suggests this weekend could be the busiest of the year so far on the roads, with millions of people embarking on getaway trips to make the most of the three days and, for those with school age children, the start of the half-term holiday.
The M5 southbound is expected to be one of the busiest roads this weekend as visitors head to picturesque West Country coasts to enjoy the long weekend and school half-term. We will keep you updated with the latest in our live blog below.
We will keep you updated in our live blog below.
Key Events
Road closed as woman is injured in caravan incident
Traffic camera shows major congestion
One-hour delays on M5 southbound
Oliver Astley
Congestion on the A303 in Somerset
National Highways is reporting congestion on the A303 between Wincanton and Sparkford, in Somerset, between the road's junctions with the A371 and the A359.
KEY EVENT
Road closed as woman is injured in caravan incident
A road in Devon has been closed following an incident involving a caravan in which a woman was seriously injured. It happened on Forches Avenue, in Barnstaple, Devon, at around 6.30pm. Read the full story here.
Oliver Astley
Traffic easing on M4
Traffic is easing and all lanes are open on the M4 westbound from J19 M32 (Bristol) to J20 M5 J15 (Almondsbury Interchange), after a lane was closed for a vehicle to have a tyre changed. A broken-down vehicle on the same stretch of motorway has been recovered, according to Inrix.
KEY EVENT
Traffic camera shows major congestion
There is still serious congestion on the southbound carriageway of the M5 motorway. A traffic camera at junction 18 shows bumper-to-bumper traffic.
Oliver Astley
Lane closed due to vehicle tyre change on M4 westbound
Queueing traffic and one lane closed due to vehicle having a tyre changed on M4 westbound from J19 M32 (Bristol) to J20 M5 J15 (Almondsbury Interchange). This is separate to the earlier broken down vehicle.
Oliver Astley
Crash in Devon
There is heavy traffic following a collision in Kennford, Devon, that has closed a lane of the A380. The crash happened at around 6.30pm on the eastbound carriageway before its junction with the A38 at Splatford Split.
Oliver Astley
Reports of crash on A38 Bristol Road in Somerset
There are reports of very slow traffic due to an accident on the A38 Bristol Road southbound before the A368 Bath Road (Churchill Gate), near Langford, in Somerset.
Oliver Astley
Lane closure on M4 westbound
National Highways and Inrix are reporting that there is a lane closed on the M4 westbound due to a broken-down vehicle. One lane of three is closed. Normal traffic conditions are expected to have returned by 7.15pm this evening. UPDATE: The lane reopened at 6.05pm.
Oliver Astley
No planned road closures in the region tonight
National Highways is reporting that there are no planned road closures in the south-west region tonight.
Oliver Astley
Holidaymakers warned of delays in Cornwall
There are a number of delays on roads through Cornwall this afternoon. There's slow traffic on the A30 eastbound at Carland Cross at the A39 due to roadworks and congestion. The A38 southbound is partially blocked due to a broken-down vehicle before the junction with the A30 and there has been an accident on the A390 at St Ann's Chapel, close to the Rifle Volunteer pub.
Oliver Astley
20-minute delays on M32
Inrix reports 20-minute delays on the M32: "Delays on M32 and Newfoundland Way southbound in to Bristol city centre. Travel time is 20 minutes."
KEY EVENT
One-hour delays on M5 southbound
Traffic and travel monitoring service Inrix reports: "Queueing traffic for 11 miles on M5 southbound from J17 A4018 (Cribbs Causeway) to J20 B3133 Ettlingen Way (Clevedon). Travel time is around 60 minutes."
Shannon Brown
M4 crash across bridge
Severe delays due to accident, now on the hard shoulder on M4 Westbound between J26 A4051 (Malpas Road) and J27 B4591 Glasllwch Crescent (Highcross). Congestion to J23a (Magor Services). Traffic is also congested on the opposite side due to the onlookers. All lanes open.
Shannon Brown
40 minute delays on M4
Long delays and traffic heavier than normal on M4 Westbound at J20 M5 J15 ( Almondsbury Interchange). Travel time is around 40 minutes.
Shannon Brown
M5 delays
Queueing traffic on M5 Southbound at J20 B3133 Ettlingen Way (Clevedon). Usual Friday delays.
