Bristol Balloon Fiesta 2026: Major M5 Traffic Warning Issued

Key Points

• National Highways has issued a traffic warning ahead of the Bristol International Balloon Fiesta, taking place from August 7 to 9, 2026 at Ashton Court.
• Up to 100,000 visitors are expected each day, with heavy congestion anticipated on the M5 and surrounding routes.
• Junction 19 (Portishead) and Junction 21 (Weston-super-Mare) of the M5 are likely to experience significant delays.
• The Clifton Suspension Bridge will be closed to vehicles, pedestrians and cyclists between 6pm and midnight on Friday and Saturday evenings.
• Additional road closures will affect the A370, B3128 and Bower Ashton roundabout during evening hours.
• John Ingram, South West network resilience planner for National Highways, advised motorists to plan ahead, check travel information and allow extra time.
• Alternative transport options include shuttle buses from Temple Meads station and public transport services.
• The Portway will have overnight closures for resurfacing works, but these will be suspended during the fiesta.

Bristol (Bristol Express News) July 31, 2026 – Motorists travelling to and around Bristol are being urged to prepare for significant delays as the Bristol International Balloon Fiesta returns to Ashton Court next month, with National Highways issuing a formal traffic warning for the August 7 to 9 event. The annual festival, one of the largest of its kind in Europe, is expected to draw up to 100,000 visitors per day to the estate on the city’s outskirts, placing considerable pressure on the M5 motorway and local road network.

What are the main M5 congestion points during the fiesta?

National Highways has identified specific motorway junctions that will experience heightened traffic volumes during the three-day event. The M5 at junction 19, serving uk/local/portishead/">Portishead, is expected to be particularly busy as southbound traffic exits the motorway to access the A369 leading directly to the Ashton Court festival site.

Similarly, junction 21 near Weston-super-Mare will see increased congestion as northbound motorists use the A370 route to reach the event. Additional traffic is also anticipated on the M32 as drivers travel through Bristol city centre toward the fiesta grounds.

John Ingram, South West network resilience planner for National Highways, stated:

“We’re reminding road users to plan ahead during the Balloon Fiesta – roads leading to the event are likely to be very busy.”

He added:

“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.”

Which roads will be closed around Ashton Court?

According to official information from the Bristol Balloon Fiesta organisers, multiple road closures will be implemented around Ashton Court Estate each evening from 7pm until midnight for safety reasons. The A370 between Winterstoke Road and Colliters Way roundabout (South Bristol Link Road) will close between 9.30pm and midnight on Friday and Saturday.

The Bower Ashton roundabout will be fully closed to all traffic, except shuttle buses, between 9.30pm and midnight on Friday 7 and Saturday 8 August. The B3128 will be closed from its junctions with the A370 to Longwood Lane from 9.30pm until 11.30pm every evening of the event.

Long Ashton residents should note that access to Bristol between 9pm and 11pm will not be possible via the B3128 and past The Ashton public house. No waiting restrictions will be placed along Long Ashton Road to maintain two-way traffic flow through the village during the event.

What is the Clifton Suspension Bridge closure schedule?

The Clifton Suspension Bridge will be completely closed to vehicles, pedestrians and cyclists between 6pm and midnight on Friday 7 and Saturday 8 August, coinciding with the popular night glow displays. This measure has been implemented following historical observations that large numbers of pedestrians crossing the bridge during the event create significantly more weight than typical vehicle traffic, potentially causing structural damage.

Trish Johnson, bridge master, explained:

“A gathering of pedestrians on the bridge’s roadway creates significantly more weight than typical vehicle traffic, which could lead to damage to the structure and pose risks to its users.”

She noted that an agreement was made with event organisers to ensure public and bridge safety by closing the bridge during the Friday and Saturday evenings.

For the first time since Bristol’s Clean Air Zone was introduced, traffic following official signed diversion routes from the bridge during closure periods will be exempt from CAZ charges, though drivers must stick to the designated entry and exit points at Bridge Valley Road and Winterstoke Road interchange near Ashton Gate Stadium.

What alternative transport options are available?

A shuttle bus service will operate from Bristol Temple Meads railway station to the fiesta site throughout the weekend, providing an alternative to driving. Visitors are encouraged to consider public transport options where possible to reduce congestion on local roads.

National Highways has advised motorists to obtain the latest travel information through their Travel Alerts webpage, via X (formerly Twitter) at @HighwaysSWEST, or by calling the company’s Information Line on 0300 123 5000.

How will Portway roadworks affect fiesta traffic?

The Portway will undergo overnight resurfacing works from July 27 to October 2, with closures each weeknight between 9pm and 5am. However, these closures will be suspended on weeknights when major events take place at Ashton Gate, including during the Bristol International Balloon Fiesta. The road will remain open as usual during weekends throughout the works period.

Background of the Bristol International Balloon Fiesta

The Bristol International Balloon Fiesta has been held annually at Ashton Court Estate since 1979, making it one of Europe’s largest hot air balloon festivals. The event typically features mass balloon ascents twice daily, with the spectacular night glow displays on Friday and Saturday evenings drawing the largest crowds. The festival has grown from a small gathering of balloon enthusiasts to a major international event attracting visitors from across the UK and abroad, with attendance regularly reaching 100,000 people per day in recent years.

The fiesta has become firmly established in Bristol’s cultural calendar, generating significant economic impact for the region while also presenting ongoing traffic management challenges for local authorities and National Highways. Previous years have seen similar traffic warnings and road closure arrangements implemented to manage the substantial influx of visitors to the Ashton Court site.

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Predictions for local traffic impact and future planning

This development is expected to affect motorists, local residents and businesses in the Bristol and North Somerset area through increased journey times and potential disruption to normal traffic patterns. Commuters using the M5 between junctions 18 and 22 during the August 7-9 period should anticipate delays of 15-30 minutes above normal levels, particularly during evening hours when the night glow displays conclude.

Local residents in Long Ashton, Bower Ashton and surrounding villages may experience restricted access to certain routes during evening closure periods, requiring alternative journey planning. Businesses operating along affected routes, particularly hospitality venues near Ashton Court, may see increased footfall from fiesta attendees but could also face challenges with delivery vehicles and staff commuting during peak congestion periods.

The traffic management approach implemented for the 2026 event, including the coordinated road closures and Clean Air Zone exemptions for diversion routes, may inform future fiesta planning and could establish precedents for managing large-scale events in urban areas with similar traffic challenges. National Highways’ proactive communication strategy, utilising multiple channels including social media and dedicated information lines, reflects growing recognition of the importance of advance traveller information in managing event-related congestion.