M4 traffic update: M4 lanes CLOSED as ‘serious’ incident sparks tailback for ELEVEN MILES
AN INCIDENT sparked traffic mayhem on the M4, where cars quickly piled up in an eleven-mile-long queue following the closure of two lanes.
M4: Motorists get stuck in chaotic traffic after lane closures
Traffic officers in attendance took the decision of shutting down lanes one and two on the M4 between J24 and J25.
This precautionary decision sparked serious delays, with motorists blocked in long tailbacks.
The incident happened just west of J25 at Caerleon, according to local news outlet Wales Online.
At the peak of the disruption, travel time was one hour and 45 minutes, with congestion reaching the Severn Bridge toll booths.
By 6pm, delays began to ease, but the situation was still difficult for motorists facing 55-minute-long delays.
The closure was caused by half a tonne of tarmac falling off a lorry.
Traffic South Wales asked motorists on Twitter to "bear with us" while officers were cleaning the road.
They added: "#M4 westbound between J24-J25.
"Traffic Officers on scene assisting traffic following ½ tonne of tarmac that fell off a lorry.
"Work is currently being undertaken to clear the road."
Traffic South Wales had previously advised motorists to be exercise cautions following "an incident".
They wrote on Twitter: "M4 : Westbound : J24 Coldra to J25 Caerleon : Lanes closed : Due to Incident"
While traffic officers rushed to the scene, paramedics were not needed.
A spokeswoman for the Welsh Ambulance Service said they have not been called to the incident.
All lines were reopened minutes before 5pm, but the piled up traffic combined with the one caused by rush hour caused wider delays.
At 4.50pm, the congestion was stretching to the A449 southbound towards junction 24.
Delays were reported on the A48 from Langstone.
This incident comes just hours after a collision took place earlier this morning on the on the M4 westbound between J16 and J17.