M4 traffic hell as ‘multi-vehicle crash’ sparks miles of queues on busy motorway

Two multi-vehicle crashes are causing traffic chaos to major sections of a busy motorway[1] this evening. Emergency services rushed to the scene of a serious incident on the M4 near Newport, in South Wales[2], which has caused major congestion and tailbacks. The motorway closed near Newport on the M4 Eastbound at J24 (A449, Coldra) due to the accident and caused the long queues with congestion stretching back to J25 (Caerleon).

Traffic on the westbound side was also slow, with delays reaching back to J23A (Magor Services). The entry slip road from the A449 underneath the motorway onto the Eastbound M4 was closed.

Gwent Police[4] urged people to 'avoid the area' where the crash has taken place. Writing on X, it said: "We're currently dealing with a road traffic collision on the M4 Eastbound Junction 24 Please avoid the area if possible and find alternative routes for your journey.

Thank you." And a message by Traffic Wales on X gave the status of the incident as "severe" without going into details but it did add that "delays likely". Meanwhile, there is also a crash on the M4 eastbound between Junction 4 for Heathrow Airport and Junction 3 for Hayes after another multi-vehicle crash where one vehicle is lying on its roof.

There are reports of queues going back five miles and delays of 60 minutes. National Highways East states on X: #M4 eastbound between J4 @HeathrowAirport and J3 #Hayes following a multi-vehicle collision involving a car that's come to rest on its roof @MPSRTPC & @LondonFire are working at scene." While an update at 5.45pm read: "#M4 east between J4 @HeathrowAirport and J3 #Hayes has re-opened with 3 (of 4) lanes remaining closed. "Recovery agents are on scene beginning the operation to clear the vehicles involved.

45 minute delays and approx.

5 miles of congestion, which is impacting the #M25 clockwise." The motorway section in South Wales where the traffic was building up towards Bristol has now fully reopened. Inrix said: "All traffic being temporarily held and stationary traffic due to multi-vehicle accident on M4 Eastbound at J24 A449 (Coldra). Congestion to J25 (Caerleon).

The opposite side is also congested due to the onlookers back to J23A (Magor Services). Just after 16:30 all traffic was held." In an update it said: "Heavy traffic due to earlier accident on entry slip road on M4 Eastbound at J24 A449 (Coldra). The entry slip road from the A449 underneath the motorway onto the Eastbound M4 was closed.

Restrictions were lifted at around 17:50." And now the latest message from Inrix reads: "Traffic returned to normal, earlier accident on entry slip road on M4 Eastbound at J24 A449 (Coldra).

The entry slip road from the A449 underneath the motorway onto the Eastbound M4 was closed.

Restrictions were lifted at around 17:50."

References

1. ^ busy motorway (www.mirror.co.uk)
2. ^ South Wales (www.mirror.co.uk)
3. ^ Cruelty-free hair growth tablets that gives 'biggest difference in weeks' (www.mirror.co.uk)
4. ^ Gwent Police (www.mirror.co.uk)