Major motorway closed after horror crash as police warn ‘avoid the area’

Motorists face rush hour chaos as a major motorway[1] has been closed following a "serious collision" and people are urged to avoid the area. Police have closed the M4 westbound between Junction 37 (Pyle) and Junction 38 (Margam) following a serious crash[2] involving an overturned lorry with officers alerted of the incident at around 5am on this morning. A spokesperson for South Wales Police said: "We're at the scene of a serious collision on the M4 westbound just prior to junction 38.

The road is currently closed from junction 37 onwards and from junction 38 eastbound so that emergency services can access the incident. It is expected to remain closed for some time; please avoid the area and use alternative routes where possible. We're grateful for your patience."

Follow our breaking blog below for the latest updates...

08:53Tim Hanlon

Local councillor says there is 'traffic chaos in Pyle' after M4 crash

Pyle Community Councillor Rhys Watkins said: "Traffic chaos in Pyle - this could have been prevented. "Once again, our community is at a complete standstill. With an incident on the M4, all the diverted traffic has come through Pyle, and with the ongoing roadworks, the lights are still stuck on automatic timings.

"Here's the real frustration: a simple condition could have been added to the permit requiring manual control of the lights at peak times. That would have helped keep traffic moving and avoided the gridlock we're all facing today. "Because that condition wasn't included when the permit was granted, we're left to pay the price, with fellow residents, businesses, and commuters alike.

"As both a local councillor and a resident, I see first-hand just how much this affects our community, and it isn't right."

08:39KEY EVENT

Drivers are urged to 'find alternative routes' with M4 closed for 'some time'

South Wales Police are at the scene of the crash alongside other emergency services and say the road will remain closed "for some time". The road closure is affecting those travelling in the Porthcawl to Port Talbot areas. A spokesperson said: "We're at the scene of a serious collision on the M4 westbound just prior to junction 38.

"The road is currently closed from junction 37 onwards and from junction 38 eastbound so that emergency services can access the incident. "It is expected to remain closed for some time; please avoid the area and use alternative routes where possible. We're grateful for your patience."

08:29Tim Hanlon

Traffic Wales South says westbound carriageway remains closed

Motorists have been told that the eastbound carriagway has now reopened but it is still closed for traffic heading the other way.

In an update Traffic Wales South said: "Eastbound lane has now re-opened." Earlier it said: "M4 J37 Pil - J38 Margam westbound. Road closed in both directions Allow extra time to travel Updates to follow."

08:24Tim Hanlon

Motorists warned of 73min delays on M4 by AA

AA traffic says there are 73 minute delays on the M4 near Porthcawl, before the crash site.

It states: "Severe delays of 73 minutes and delays increasing on M4 Westbound between J36 A4061 (Bridgend / Sarn Service Area) and J38 A48 (Margam). Average speed five mph."

08:22Tim Hanlon

Motorway closed due to crash involving 'overturned lorry'

Traffic monitoring system Inrix says the accident includes an overturned lorry. Inrix's latest update states: "M4 in both directions closed, with queueing traffic, due to an overturned lorry and accident from J38 A48 (Margam) to J37 A4229 (Pyle / Porthcawl).

Congestion is also queueing through Pyle."

08:16Tim Hanlon

Police statement on M4 closure after crash

A spokesperson for South Wales Police said: "We're at the scene of a serious collision on the M4 westbound just prior to junction 38. The road is currently closed from junction 37 onwards and from junction 38 eastbound so that emergency services can access the incident. "It is expected to remain closed for some time; please avoid the area and use alternative routes where possible.

We're grateful for your patience."

References

1. ^ motorway (www.mirror.co.uk)
2. ^ serious crash (www.mirror.co.uk)