Commuters faced rush-hour chaos this morning after a serious crash involving a motorbike and a car closed part of the A46 in Gloucestershire, causing severe congestion on the M4. The motorcyclist was taken to hospital with injuries that are not believed to be life-threatening, while the car driver sustained minor injuries and did not require hospital treatment.
The collision occurred near Cold Ashton, Gloucestershire, at around 3.46am. Avon and Somerset Police and National Highways officers attended the scene. The A46 was closed in both directions between junction 18 of the M4 and the A420 at Cold Ashton, leading to diversions that caused jams on local routes across Gloucestershire and Somerset.
The M4 experienced congestion in both directions on the approach to the A46 link, with eastbound traffic backed up almost to junction 19, the M32 link at Bristol. National Highways advised motorists to allow extra journey time or delay their travel. Diversion routes were put in place, but they added to the congestion on surrounding roads.
National Highways later confirmed the full reopening of the road. The northbound carriageway reopened between the A420 and the M4, and lane two reopened southbound. The agency thanked drivers for their patience as recovery and clear-up works were completed.
The A46 is a key commuter route for those travelling to and from Bath, Somerset, and connecting to the M4. Motorists were advised to use alternative routes, such as the A420 eastbound to Chippenham and the M4 westbound at junction 17, to rejoin the A46 at junction 18.
