Drivers are being advised to avoid the M4 westbound tonight between junction 18 for Bath and junction 19 for Bristol following a four-vehicle incident earlier today (Friday 31 July) which left the road surface badly damaged.
The incident involved a vehicle fire and one lane has been closed since the incident as it will need to be resurfaced before it is safe for drivers to use.
Highways England said it has kept the remaining two lanes open for the rest of the day so drivers could still use the carriageway but long delays have built up since the evening peak.
Just over 30 metres of carriageway will need to be resurfaced and this will require all three lanes of the carriageway to be closed. That will happen tonight between midnight and 6am tomorrow (Saturday 1 August). The hard shoulder will remain open for vehicles to go past the scene. There will be a speed restriction in place at the scene while the resurfacing takes place.
Road users are being advised to seek alternative routes until the carriageway is repaired.
Real-time traffic information for England’s motorways and major A roads is available:
• From the web at www.highways.gov.uk/traffic or from a phone or mobile device at m.highways.gov.uk
• By phone from the Highways England Customer Contact Centre on 0300 123 5000 at any time. (Calls to 03 numbers are charged at no more than a national call to an 01 or 02 number and are included in all discount schemes and call allowances. This applies to all landlines, mobiles and payphones. Call costs will vary depending on your landline or mobile supplier.) Make sure it’s safe and legal before you call. Before using any mobile, find a safe place to park. Never stop on the hard shoulder of a motorway except in an emergency.
