M4 reopens after flooding closes lanes in Wiltshire

A lane was closed on either side of the M4 in Wiltshire following flooding this morning (October 20). The closures led to heavy congestion in both directions.

The M4 motorway^[1] was flooded between junction 16 for Swindon^[2] and junction 17 for Chippenham from around 7.50am. The lanes reopened and traffic returned to normal by 12.20pm.

Elsewhere on the M4, a serious multi-vehicle crash involving a lorry has closed the motorway in both directions. Emergency services are at the scene between junction 18 for Bath and junction 17 for Chippenham.

Avon and Somerset Police said earlier that the M4 is likely to remain closed for “some time”. A diversion route is in place for motorists to avoid the affected area.

On the earlier flooding and lane closures in Wiltshire, Inrix says: “Long delays cleared, earlier flooding on M4 Westbound from J16 A3102 Swindon Road (Swindon West) to J17 A350 (Chippenham).”

This is a live blog. Scroll down for updates.

References

1. ^{^} M4 motorway (www.wiltshirelive.co.uk)
2. ^{^} Swindon (www.wiltshirelive.co.uk)
3. ^{^} Trio arrested over teenager’s shooting in Swindon (www.wiltshirelive.co.uk)