Drivers travelling on the M32 in Bristol faced serious delays today (December 19) after pothole repairs forced the closure of the northbound carriageway. Two lanes were shut on the northbound side of the road and a diversion route was in place for much of the day due to the emergency repair work.
National Highways South West warned motorists to expect delays in the area. In a statement on X - formerly Twitter - a spokesperson said: "Lanes 2 & 3 (of 3) are CLOSED on the M32 northbound between J3 & J2 Bristol due to an infrastructure defect. The carriageway is also closed within J3 & J2. Traffic is diverting up and over the two junctions via the exit & entry slip roads. Expect significant delays."
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Traffic monitoring service Inrix reported that two lanes are near J3 A4320 Easton Way due to "emergency pothole repairs". BristolLive brought you all of the latest on this incident.
Any further updates will appear in the blog below.
Key Events
Queues remain after lanes reopen
Inrix reports: "Queueing traffic due to earlier emergency repairs on M32 northbound at J3 A4320 Easton Way (St Pauls). All lanes have been re-opened."
M32 traffic map
Google Maps is reporting stationary traffic at 4.30pm on Tuesday, December 19.
Traffic expected to return to normal by 4.30pm
National Highways reports that traffic on the M32 is expected to return to normal by 4.30pm.
Buses delayed by heavy congestion
SERVICE ALERT
— First West of England (@FirstBSA) December 19, 2023
Y1, Y2, m1, m3, T1
We are experiencing heavy delays to the above services due to works & heavy congestion on the M32.
Congestion to St James Barton Roundabout
"M32 Northbound closed, queueing traffic due to emergency resurfacing repairs at J3 A4320 Easton Way (St Pauls). Congestion to St James Barton Roundabout."
M32 to remain closed - read the full story
Part of the M32 is expected to remain closed today (December 19) after two "large defects" - including a three-metre pothole - were found on the motorway. Emergency roadworks are expected to be completed on the road throughout the afternoon after the defects were found between junctions three and two in the early hours of this morning.
Two motorway lanes were closed between the Lower Ashley Road Interchange and Eastville Interchange in the early hours of the morning. National Highways says one of the potholes is reported to be three metres by one metre in size.
M32 to remain closed
A closure is expected to remain in place on the M32 throughout the afternoon after two potholes were found to have deteriorated overnight. Lanes two and three have been closed between J3 and J2, but the first lane for Eastville remains open.
Three-metre sized pothole poses 'safety risk' on M32
The M32 northbound will remain closed between junctions 3 and 2 after two large potholes were found on the carriageway. National Highways has said two large defects have deteriorated overnight and pose a safety risk to motorway users.
The main carriageway (lanes 2 and 3) will remain closed but the dedicated lane 1 for Eastville remains open, allowing motorists to go up and over the two junctions via exit and entry slip roads.
Traffic is currently running freely, Highways has said and it hopes to have the road open again for the afternoon peak, with full closures taking place overnight to carryout further repairs.
'Serious defect'
M32 outbound/northbound closed between J3 to J2 due to serious road defect. Expect long delays heading to the M32 and if possible use alternate routes. #twTraffic #Bristol AC
— travelWEST (@travelwestEng) December 19, 2023
M32 diversion route
Inrix reports: "M32 Northbound closed, queueing traffic due to emergency repairs at J3 A4320 Easton Way (St Pauls).Everyone comes off at J3 and then goes straight back on where two lanes are closed. Then everyone is off again at J2 to then get back on again at the other side of the roundabout. Diversion - via the exit and entry slip roads."
Delays on M32 northbound
National Highways reports congestion on the M32 northbound between J3 and J2. This is expected to clear later this morning.
The northbound carriage is shut at J3
Inrix reports: "M32 Northbound closed due to emergency repairs at J3 A4320 Easton Way (St Pauls).
''Closure in place related to the M32 repairs between J3 and J2.
Diversion - via the exit and entry slip roads.''
Northbound closed at J2
Inrix reports: "M32 Northbound closed due to emergency repairs at J2 B4058 Stapleton Road (Eastville).
"Closure in place related to the M32 repairs between J3 and J2. Diversion - via the exit and entry slip roads.''
Drivers have been warned of 'significant delays'
INCIDENT
— National Highways: South-West (@HighwaysSWEST) December 19, 2023
Lanes 2 & 3 (of 3) are CLOSED on the #M32 northbound between J3 & J2 #Bristol due to an infrastructure defect. The carriageway is also closed within J3 & J2. Traffic is diverting up & over the two junctions via the exit & entry slip roads.
Expect significant delays. pic.twitter.com/VuBDW9421c
Emergency pothole repairs force lane closures
Roads traffic monitoring service, Inrix reports: "Two lanes closed due to emergency pothole repairs on M32 Northbound from J3 A4320 Easton Way (St Pauls) to J2 B4058 Stapleton Road (Eastville). Note change of details.
"Reported as reopened however local authorities report lanes remain closed around the carriageway defect. The carriageway is also closed within J3 and J2 with up and overs in place at each junction."
