M32 traffic: 'Significant delays' expected after motorway closed for emergency repairs

Bristol drivers are being advised to expect "significant delays" this morning, Tuesday 19 December, due to emergency repairs on the M32 motorway near the city centre.

National Highways posted the following update on X: "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."

According to the traffic monitoring website Inrix, the northbound carriageway is "closed due to emergency repairs at J2 B4058 Stapleton Road (Eastville). Closure in place related to the M32 repairs between J3 and J2".

10.30am update

In a statement, National Highways said that the road will remain closed for some time.

"This follows two infrastructure defects – large potholes – which have deteriorated overnight and need repairing.

"One of the defects measures roughly 3 metres by 1 metre, meaning it poses a safety risk to those using the carriageway."

Crews are expected to be onsite by late morning with resurfacing works to begin this afternoon.

The main carriageway (lanes 2 and 3) will remain closed throughout the day. Motorists can use lane 1 for Eastville to go up and over the two junctions via exit and entry slip roads.

Clarke Hobbs, On Road Teams Manager for National Highways said: “We appreciate closures are frustrating, but we can reassure drivers that safety is and always will be our top priority.

“That is why we are carrying out these essential repairs under a closure on the M32.

“We would like to apologise in advance for any inconvenience this may cause and ask those travelling to please allow additional time for your journeys.”