M4 traffic LIVE: Major police incident shuts Prince of Wales bridge causing huge delays
A major bridge linking England and Wales has suspended traffic as a police incident takes hold.
"If this closure impacts on your planned route, please allow extra journey time. Plan ahead, you may wish to re-route or even delay your journey."
Police are on the scene and have been diverting traffic before closing the stretch until further notice. The Prince of Wales Bridge links England and the cities of Newport and Cardiff in Wales.
The M48 Severn Bridge remains open in both directions.
This is a live blog. See below for the latest updates.
RAC warns of long delays continuing
The RAC have said: " Long delays due to earlier police incident incident. Congestion to J19 (M32 (Bristol). The Northbound M5 is also congested back
Long delays due to earlier police incident incident on M4 Westbound from J21 M48 to J23 M48. Congestion to J19 (M32 (Bristol).
Recap
Traffic is now moving on the M4 after both sides were closed today following two separate collisions, a ‘police incident’ and a fire.
The incidents caused large stretches of the road to be closed with diverted traffic causing congestion in surrounding areas.
A crash between a lorry and a car caused the westbound carriageway to be closed whilst a separate incident saw five cars involved in a collision.
Elsewhere along the route, what was described as a “police incident” led to the Prince of Wales Bridge being closed and traffic diverted over the Severn Bridge.
The Eastbound carriageway reopened at around 1500 whilst the westbound section was reopened just over an hour later.
Lane 3 remains closed on M4 westbound
The lane closure between J14 and J15 is to allow for emergency resurfacing works which will take place tonight, following the earlier serious collision.
There is no serious congestion on approach.
The M4 has now reopened westbound between J21 and J23
There is still plenty of traffic in the surrounding area, with National Highways warning that there is around 6 miles of congestion on approach.
Drivers are warned to factor in at least 30 minutes of delays to any journey
Diversion Route
National Highways has advised drivers of the diversion route: "Traffic is being diverted via the M48 Severn Bridge.
"If this closure impacts on your planned route, please allow extra journey time. Plan ahead, you may wish to re-route or even delay your journey.
"Further information is available from National Highways by visiting our www.trafficengland.com website and travel apps, or via our regional Twitter feed. Our 24/7 contact centre team is also available to provide up to the minute information on 0300 123 5000."
Latest from National Highways
National Highways said: "Avon and Somerset police are leading the response with Traffic Officers and contractors assisting with strategic closures.
"There are delays of up to 30 minutes on the approach with 6 miles of congestion back towards J19 for the M32 into Bristol.
"At this stage there are no times for reopening of the road.
"Further info on the M4 Prince of Wales bridge can be found here"
Images show aftermath of second incident
The aftermath of the second incident has been pictured by Inrix. Five vehicles were involved.
M4 eastbound reopened
M4 eastbound has been reopened but the westbound lanes remain closes as police respond to the incident at J21 M48 to J23 M48.
Queues have built up as far back as J19 (Bristol).
The M5 is very slow as far back as J17 (Cribbs Causeway).
