It cuts journey times for traffic to and from Avonmouth docks, Central and southern Bristol and South West England.

Having a two-way grade separated roundabout junction with the M4, it also fulfils the additional role of providing a bypass for the busy stretch of the M5 between the Avonmouth Bridge and the M4 in case of that route being shut.

Original plans provided for an intermediate junction with the A403, to serve an expanded industrial area and Severn Beach.

[citation needed] Construction of Junction 1 commenced summer 2018 and was completed late in August 2020.

[5] Data from driver location signs are used to provide distance and carriageway identifier information.