Motorway Database
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Factfile - Images - Timeline - Exit List
The Bristol spur from the M4, entering the city from the north but actually signposted as the way in from all directions on the M4 and M5. Its terrifically rubbish junction with the M4 is only the start of the traffic problems this road has.
The road was originally just a couple of miles long, with its junctions numbered 19a and 19b, to follow from the M4's numbering. When it was granted an extension further into the city it gained its own numbering scheme.
The M32 was apparently meant to be one of two motorways entering Bristol: the other, a spur from the south, would have left the M5 at junction 20, near Clevedon; however, evidence for this southern motorway link is sketchy. On-the-ground evidence says that something was planned here but what exactly it was isn't clear.
Factfile
| Start | Winterbourne (M4) |
| Finish | Bristol (A4032) |
| Passes | None |
| Length | 4 miles |
| Terminates | None |
| Spurs | None |
| Meets | None |
Images
Views of the M32 from on and off the road. If you have a photo to contribute, contact me.
Northbound at the M4 junction. The sharp bend signposted just ahead is the former entry to the roundabout, where now the motorway simply has a sharp curve.
Photo by Steven Jukes
A straight and fairly flat section of motorway between junctions 1 and 2.
Photo by Steven Jukes
Northbound approaching junction 2, with unusual signing. Note the use of an ampersand between destinations.
Photo by Steven Jukes
Southbound approaching junction 3. Straight ahead is signed as "City Centre M32" even though the motorway terminates when the sliproads from this interchange merge in.
Photo by Steven Jukes
Northbound at junction 3, with the start of restrictions sign. Apparently traffic is stationary so regularly here that it is profitable to place advertising sites this small on the verge.
Photo by Steven Jukes
Construction Timeline
When the various parts of the M32 were built, listed in chronological order.
| Open | Jct | Section |
|---|---|---|
| 1966 | M4-J1 | Hambrook Spur |
| 1970 | J1-2 | Hambrook - Eastville |
| 1975 | J2-3 | Eastville - Ashley Street |
Exit List
All the junctions and destinations along the route.
| Junction | Northbound | Southbound | ||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| (M4 J19) | SOUTH WALES M4  The SOUTH WEST Birmingham (M5) |
M4 (M5) |
NORTH |
M4 |
N/A    |
|||||
| London M4    |
||||||||||
1 mile, 3 lanes  |
 1 mile, 3
lanes |
|||||||||
| 1 | Avon Ring Road Filton Downend A4174  |
A4174 |   |
A4174 | Avon Ring Road Filton Downend A4174  |
|||||
| 2 miles, 2 lanes |
2 miles, 2
lanes |
|||||||||
| 2 | Stapleton Frenchay Horfield Fishponds B4469  |
B4469 |   |
B4469 | Stapleton Frenchay Horfield Fishponds B4469   |
|||||
| 1 mile, 3 lanes |
1 mile, 3
lanes |
|||||||||
| 3 | N/A |
B4051 |
 A4032 SOUTH |
A4320 |
Knowle Bath A4320 (A4) |
|||||
| City Centre A4032   |
