Drivers travelling on the M4 through South Gloucestershire and Wiltshire are advised to plan their journeys ahead of next week’s Badminton Horse Trials.

The prestigious equestrian event from Wednesday, May 8 until Sunday, May 12 attracts some 170,000 visitors over the five days.

With junction 18 of the M4 and the A46 near Tormarton likely to see higher traffic volumes, National Highways is reminding attendees and drivers around the location to plan ahead.

Kathryn Wiltshire, National Highways’ South West Network Planner, said: “The road network is likely to see higher traffic volumes as a result of the Badminton event, particularly around M4 junction 18 and the A46 to the south of the junction.

“The Cross Country event on the Saturday is particularly popular and for anyone travelling in the area through the week, we’d like to remind people that narrow lanes and a contraflow are in place on the M5 Almondsbury interchange."

Drivers can obtain up-to-the-minute travel information on the Swindon Advertiser website, local radio, via X @HighwaysSWEST, by phoning the National Highways Information Line on 0300 123 5000 or by accessing the website: www.trafficengland.com

Details on the 75th anniversary event are at https://www.badminton-horse.co.uk/