M4 drivers warned to plan ahead for Badminton Horse Trials

Motorists travelling on the M4 through South Gloucestershire and Wiltshire are being encouraged to plan before next week’s MARS Badminton Horse Trials.

Drivers can obtain up-to-the-minute travel information on local radio, via X using the handle @HighwaysSWEST, by phoning the National Highways Information Line on 0300 123 5000 or by visiting trafficengland.com

The equestrian event, which starts on Wednesday, May 6 and runs until Sunday, May 10, attracts the world’s premier eventers to the Duke of Beaufort’s Badminton House grounds in South Gloucestershire and with them some 170,000 visitors over the five days.

With junction 18 of the M4 and the A46 near Tormarton likely to see higher traffic volumes, National Highways is reminding people making their way to the event and motorists travelling around the location to plan ahead.

Kathryn Wiltshire, South West network planner for National Highways, said: “The road network is likely to see higher traffic volumes as a result of the Badminton event, particularly around M4 junction 18 and the A46 to the south of the junction.

“The Cross Country event on the Saturday is particularly popular, and for anyone travelling in the area through the week, we’re advising all drivers to check our traffic and travel information channels, to plan ahead and allow plenty of time for their journeys.”