A serious multi-vehicle collision combined with an oil spill has brought traffic to a standstill on the Crickley Hill section of the A417 this evening (Wednesday, June 4). The crash occurred between the A46 junction at Brockworth and the Air Balloon roundabout at Birdlip, resulting in the closure of the southbound carriageway and forcing motorists to seek alternative routes.
The accident has caused significant traffic build-up on the A46 in Brockworth, Shurdington, and Cheltenham. Motorists traveling from the M5 junction face heavy congestion heading toward the A46, with slow-moving traffic observed at the critical A46 and A417 roundabout. Further away, drivers have turned to narrow roads like Leckhampton Lane and Church Road in Leckhampton, leading to additional delays.
According to AA Traffic News at 5:44 pm, “Severe delays of 18 minutes and increasing on A417 westbound, between A417 and A46 Shurdington Road, with average speeds around 10 mph.”
READ MORE: Gloucester Considers Heritage-Focused Shop Signage to Enhance City Appeal
READ MORE: Ofsted Praises Cheltenham Playgroup with Unique Allotment and Bug Hotel
While the exact number of vehicles involved remains unconfirmed, reports suggest at least four or five cars are part of the crash. Emergency services, including Gloucestershire Police, Gloucestershire Fire and Rescue Service, and South Western Ambulance Service, responded promptly to the scene.
Traffic heading up Crickley Hill towards the Air Balloon roundabout has been stopped by police, with many drivers turning around to avoid the area. In response, National Highways has issued a nationwide traffic alert, confirming that the A417 southbound between the A46 (Shurdington) and A436 (Air Balloon) remains closed due to the incident.
They advised that northbound traffic is currently being held while emergency services manage the scene. Motorists are urged to exercise patience and seek alternative routes where possible.