Drivers reported being stuck in a “complete standstill” this week
16:58, 07 Aug 2025Updated 19:33, 07 Aug 2025
File image of traffic queuing at the slip road next to the A38 flyover, Filton(Image: Google Maps)
A politician has demanded an answer from South Gloucestershire Council over the council’s handling of roadworks this summer. It’s been a season of carnage on roads managed by the authority, with concurrent works in locations including the A38 flyover, Bradley Stoke Way and the A4174 ring road causing havoc for commuters, holidaymakers and businesses.
In a letter to Nigel Riglar, the council’s ‘executive director of place’, MP for Filton and Bradley Stoke Claire Hazelgrove said the huge delays to local journeys were unreasonable.
“I’m sure you would agree that it does feel as though the severity of disruption… is beyond what would be reasonable to expect,” Ms Hazelgrove wrote. “As a local resident, I share the current concern of many, not knowing how early to leave to get somewhere for work on time in recent days.”
The closure of the A38/Gloucester Road North flyover at Filton, which is expected to last until the end of August, has been particularly troublesome. On Monday (August 4), many motorists said journeys which should have taken under half an hour took over 90 minutes to complete due to diversions around the closed portion of the busy major road.
Posting on Facebook, one motorist said: “Absolute chaos traffic a38 closed both ways at flyover Orpheus ave little stoke temporary lights Bradley stoke way closed northbound the whole area is at a complete standstill with no easy way around because of other roadworks.” Ms Hazelgrove demanded action from the council.
“On behalf of fellow residents, could you please let me know what steps are being taken to improve the impact on those using our roads and in what timeframe residents should expect to feel improvements?” she asked.
A further closure on nearby Bradley Stoke Way, which runs nearly parallel to Gloucester Road to provide an alternative route between the M5 and the A4174 ring road, has only added to the problems caused by the flyover shut down.
The letter to the council in full(Image: Claire Hazelgrove MP)
Yesterday (August 6), South Gloucestershire Council apologised for the “even worse than expected” delays. “We would like to apologise for the traffic disruption caused by the closure of the A38 flyover,” the council said in a post on its Facebook page. “These bridge maintenance roadworks are essential to maintain road safety and to improve the highways and were timed for the summer holidays when traffic flows are normally lower.
“However, due to a number of factors, we are aware that congestion has been even worse than expected, particularly on Monday. Our team is monitoring this situation and actively implementing ways to help traffic flow.”
Today (August 7), Councillor Sean Rhodes, responsible for Communities and Local Place, said adjustments had been made to try to mitigate delays.
“Traffic is better today after our traffic signals team made adjustments to the signals at the Hayes Way/A38 junction and the Gipsy Patch Lane/A38 junction,” Cllr Rhodes told Bristol Live. “Traffic is flowing quicker because of these adjustments, but there still are delays, particularly on the Northbound A38.”
“This direction is typically quite quiet in the morning then traffic builds during the day until the evening peak when delays of 30 minutes can still be expected. We will continue to monitor the situation and make further improvements to the traffic management where possible.”
Cllr Rhodes also reiterated the works had been scheduled to take place during school holidays in a bid to minimise disruption. He said the road closures and roadworks were essential to maintain road safety and improve the highways.
The A4018 Passage Road at Henbury, leading to Cribbs Causeway from the northwest of Bristol, has also been closed at various times this summer, although that stretch of road is managed by Bristol City Council rather than South Gloucestershire (SGC).
In addition to the problems motorists on roads running north to south have experienced, there have been further closures on the A4174 ring road, also managed by SGC.
Diversions remain in place until the end of August for improvement works on Coldharbour Lane in Filton – which is where the University of the West of England’s Frenchay campus is located – and at its junction with the A4174 ring road.