A COACH has burst into flames on a busy commuter route north of Swindon.

It is understood firefighters are on their way to tackle the vehicle blaze on A417 near the Air Balloon roundabout. 

LIVE UPDATES: Traffic news updates after huge coach fire on A417

Eyewitness Jo Welch, a public relations professional from Cirencester, was driving back from Cheltenham with David Reach of RCH100, which they run together, when they drove past the incident and took these pictures. 

Traffic maps shows heavy delays on the A417 near the Cowley roundabout, just south of the Air Balloon roundabout, and long delays in both directions on approach.

Gloucestershire Fire and Rescue Service have been approached for a statement. 

Swindon Advertiser: Jo Welch CEO and David Reach Chairman from RCH100 

Swindon Advertiser: Dramatic images of the coach fire on the A417 - photos by Jo Welch and David Reach from RCH100 (www.rch100.co.uk)Dramatic images of the coach fire on the A417 - photos by Jo Welch and David Reach from RCH100 (www.rch100.co.uk) (Image: Jo Welch and David Reach from RCH100 )

Swindon Advertiser: There are currently delays on the A417 Westbound - photo from the AA traffic route websiteThere are currently delays on the A417 Westbound - photo from the AA traffic route website (Image: AA)