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...

13:52Tim Hanlon

Woman stuck for four hours with 2-month-old baby

A woman who joined the M4 to get to Pyle says she has been stuck in the traffic with her two-month-old baby since around 9.40am. She said: "I'm stuck in the traffic with my two-month-old and have been since 9:40am. I joined the M4 at Sarn to go to Pyle.

It is coming up to four hours stuck on the M4. This journey takes around 15 minutes normally. "The delay is not 70 minutes.

There are no signs at Sarn stating that the M4 is closed."

12:50Tim Hanlon

Residents near M4 crash site tell of 'total chaos' on roads

Residents in Pyle have described the traffic situation this morning as "total chaos" following the crash nearby on the M4. It took one local an hour and a half to get to work - a journey that usually takes them 10 minutes. Others have not attempted their commute.

Jacqueline Mizen said: "I can't even attempt to get to work, this is ridiculous!"

12:08Tim Hanlon

What police are saying as M4 westbound carriageway still closed

A statement from South Wales Police reads: "Officers were called to a report of a collision involving a lorry and a car on the M4 westbound between junction 37 and 38 at around 4.40am today (September 25). "The road was temporarily closed in both directions, and the eastbound carriageway has now reopened. Police remain at the scene while recovery takes place."

11:22Tim Hanlon

Image shows overturned lorry on M4

An image shows the overturned lorry on the M4 with emergency services at the scene.

There has not been an official statement on whether there were any injuries from the crash that took place early this morning. A Welsh Ambulance Service spokesperson said: "We were called today (25 September) at approximately 4.52am, to reports of a road traffic collision on the Westbound carriageway of the M4, between junctions 38 and 37. "We sent one emergency ambulance, one Cymru High Acuity Response Unit and one operations manager to the scene."

The overturned lorry on the M4 (Amanda Williams)10:42Tim Hanlon

Delays on the M4 westbound are down to 45mins, says AA

According to the AA, delays on the M4 westbound at junction 37 have now reduced from 73 minutes, to 45 minutes, and traffic is 'easing.'

Though, some drivers who have been caught at the scene have described being sat for hours with their engines turned off.

09:55Tim Hanlon

Ambulance service issues statement after M4 crash

A spokesperson for the Welsh Ambulance Service said: "We were called today (25 September) at approximately 4.52am, to reports of a road traffic collision on the Westbound carriageway of the M4, between junctions 38 and 37. "We sent one emergency ambulance, one Cymru High Acuity Response Unit and one operations manager to the scene."

09:53Tim Hanlon

Images show gridlock on approach to M4 due to crash

Motorists continue to tell of "gridlock" as they try and approach the M4 by Junction 37 after a crash involving a lorry. One person wrote on Facebook: "Absolute gridlock Pyle & Cornelly - all approaches to m4 jct 37." And she added: "I find the chicane created west on M4 from Pyle incredibly dangerous."

A person replied: "All of Water St, west bound is on standstill."

09:33KEY EVENT

Eastbound carriageway is now open

South Wales Police has confirmed the crash involved a lorry and a car and that officers remain at the scene. However, the eastbound carriageway is now reopened that recovery is now taking place. The statement reads: "Officers were called to a report of a collision involving a lorry and a car on the M4 westbound between junction 37 and 38 at around 4.40am today (September 25).

"The road was temporarily closed in both directions, and the eastbound carriageway has now reopened. Police remain at the scene while recovery takes place."

09:25KEY EVENT

South Wales Fire and Rescue statement

A statement from South Wales Fire and Rescue reads: "SWFRS received a call at around 04.41 am this morning, regarding an RTC between an HGV and a private motor vehicle on the M4 Westbound between J37-38 Pyle to Margam. "The westbound carriageway was blocked by an overturned HGV and both sides were closed for emergency services access.

"Crews from Bridgend, Porthcawl and Mid and West Wales helped police and ambulance with scene safety. The stop message was given at approximately 05.49am."

09:14Tim Hanlon

Pyle residents tell of 'queueing cars' with motorway shut

Police have closed the M4 westbound between Junction 37 (Pyle) and Junction 38 (Margam) following a serious crash involving an overturned lorry with officers alerted of the incident at around 5am on this morning. And residents in Pyle say there is chaos due to diverted traffic.

One person said on Facebook: "I can already see the queueing cars from my house on the Broadlands cornelly. "Pyle lights are not helping as they often get stuck which adds to the volumes of traffic having to wait longer. "Accidents can't be helped but all the roadworks on M4 plus Pyle need to be completed in a matter of urgency now, this is a weekly thing at the moment.

I hope everyone evolved in the accident is ok." Another person said: "It happened at 5am this the roads have been closed since 5.30 and not sure how long it's going to be closed for."

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

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