Motorists have been urged to “plan ahead”
Hot air balloons take off from College Green(Image: PA)
One of Bristol’s biggest events is back this week, and drivers have been warned of possible delays across the city.
The Bristol Balloon Fiesta is taking place from Friday, August 8 to Sunday, August 10.
The festival can attract up to 100,000 people per day and the motorways and major A-roads can see extremely high volumes of traffic.
National Highways has warned that junction 19 on the M5 could be particularly busy during the event with southbound traffic using the junction to access the A369 and the event site.
The M5 at junction 21 will also see increased traffic as northbound traffic uses the A370 to travel to the Fiesta, and traffic will also use the M32 to travel through Bristol to the event.
Kathryn Wiltshire, National Highways’ network planning officer for the South West, said: “We’re reminding road users to plan ahead during the Balloon Fiesta – roads leading to the event are likely to be very busy.
“Our aim is to keep the National Highways network running while keeping fiesta goers and other road users safe and informed.
“We advise people to check our traffic and travel information channels, set off early and allow plenty of time.”
There are night glows, following the earlier mass ascents, on the Friday and Saturday nights, starting at 9pm and finishing at 10pm. Gates will close at 8.30pm.
The Clifton Suspension Bridge will also be closed between 6pm and midnight on the Friday and Saturday nights.
The Balloon Fiesta is a staple event in the calendar every summer, and this year is expected to wow crowds once again.
Bristol International Balloon Fiesta (Image: PAUL GILLIS / Reach PLC)
The free-to-attend event will this year welcome more than 100 hot air balloons from across the globe and will, if weather allows, include six mass ascents across the weekend, as well as two Night Glows which will take place on the Friday and Saturday night.
For more information about what to expect at this year’s event, click here.