Traffic congestion ensued on the M4 motorway this afternoon following a car collision that triggered a significant emergency response from authorities. The incident has resulted in the closure of all but one lane in a section of the motorway near Junction 18 westbound. This disruption adds to the existing traffic woes between Bristol and Bath due to scheduled maintenance on the A432 Badminton Road Bridge.

An individual has been apprehended on suspicion of a driving violation related to the crash. According to the police, the driver attempted to flee the scene on foot after disregarding the road closure set up for ongoing roadworks, but was located with the assistance of a police helicopter.

The latest updates from National Highways indicate that a vehicle was involved in the earlier crash on the M4 westbound between junctions J17 and J18. Normal traffic flow is projected to resume within the next thirty minutes.

The closure of the M4 in both directions between J18 Tormarton and J19 M32, Bristol, is slated to persist throughout the weekend for scheduled bridge construction operations. The section of the motorway typically witnesses heavy traffic volumes of 3,000 to 4,000 vehicles per hour during peak weekend periods. Motorists were advised in advance to steer clear of the area and plan alternate routes.

The M4 closure in both directions is in effect to facilitate the installation of steel beams for the new A432 Badminton Road Bridge. The closure between Bristol and Bath commenced last evening at 7 pm.

Following the midday incident near Junction 18 westbound, where the driver attempted to evade the road closure for ongoing roadworks, a driver has been arrested and transported to a hospital for assessment, as confirmed by Avon and Somerset Police. Vehicle recovery operations are scheduled for later in the day.

In summary, a car crash near the westbound exit at junction 18 this afternoon, coinciding with ongoing roadworks, led to the closure of sections of the M4 motorway.