A police incident completely closed part of the M4 in south Wales. Traffic Wales said the motorway was closed in both directions between junction 37 Pyle and junction 38 Margam on Thursday.
All traffic was halted and people were urged to avoid the area if possible at around 12.30pm. Traffic monitoring system Inrix said: "M4 in both directions closed, stationary traffic due to police incident between junction 37 Pyle and junction 38 Margam.
"Just after 12.30pm all traffic was held and confirmed fully closed around 10 minutes later."
South Wales Police were urging people who were stuck in the gridlock to remain in their vehicles and to keep the hard shoulder clear for emergency service vehicles.
The westbound carriageway re-opened at around 3pm but long queues remained in the area. Both carriageways were opened gradually while authorities helped to remove broken-down vehicles. Both carriageways were opened completely after 4pm but long queues remained in the area.
Approcahing 6pm traffic was also heavily congested through Port Talbot and Sarn as traffic seeked an alternative. Traffic was also congested through Hirwaun as people looked for a much wider route.
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Ffion Lewis
Impact of incident felt in wider areas
According to Inrix traffic monitoring system several roads in the wider region are also impacted by queues after this afternoon's incident.
An update at 5:30pm reads: "Traffic is heavily congested through Port Talbot, Pyle, Cwmafan, Maesteg and Sarn as traffic seeks an alternative. Traffic is congested through Hirwaun as traffic seeks a wider route."
Ffion Lewis
Traffic has now significantly eased
Ffion Lewis
Broken down vehicles removed
Broken down vehicles are still being removed from the carriageway.
Ffion Lewis
Long queues remain
Traffic Wales have confirmed that the eastbound carriageway is open completely but two lanes remain closed westbound.
This is how the traffic looked over an hour after the road started to open.
Ffion Lewis
Lanes closed due to broken down vehicles
— Traffic Wales South (@TrafficWalesS) May 23, 2024Update 15:27
See AlsoTornado devastates Iowa town, killing multiple people as powerful storms rip through MidwestDue to a number of additional broken down vehicles on the westbound carriageway, lane closures have been put in place.
https://t.co/UGexyhx3Uz pic.twitter.com/6xhZkEoVKI
Ffion Lewis
Long queues remain
Long queues remain in the area
Ffion Lewis
M4 starting to re-open
— Traffic Wales South (@TrafficWalesS) May 23, 2024Update 15:08
Westbound carriageway now open.
Eastbound remains closed for the time being while we clear a number of broken down vehicles.https://t.co/sLM2Q2PnNo
Ffion Lewis
How the road is looking now
The M4 remains closed in both directions between J37 and J38 with long queues in the area.
This is how the road is looking at 2:55pm:
J37
Stormy Down
J38
Cathy Owen
Motorists asked to use A465 diversion
The latest update from Traffic Wales at 2.45pm says:
"The M4 remains closed at this time. Eastbound traffic prior to J43 Llandarcy is being asked to use the A465 if possible."
Cathy Owen
Hour long delays in both directions
The M4 remains shut in both directions:
- westbound junction 36 Sarn to junction 37 Pyle - 1hr 20 minutes.
- eastbound J42 to J38 Margam - 1hr two minutes.
Cathy Owen
Traffic officers are the scene
Traffic officers are working at the scene to divert traffic.
Cathy Owen
'Severe delays' as motorway remains shut
This is what traffic monitoring system Inrix is saying:
M4 in both directions closed, severe delays due to police incident between J37 Pyle J38 Margam. Congestion to J41 (Baglan / Pentyla) on the Eastbound side. Routes in and around Pyle are heavily congested as traffic seeks an alternative.
"At around 12:30 all traffic was held and then confirmed fully closed around 10 minutes later. There is still trapped traffic within the closure. Diversion - via Pyle."
Cathy Owen
Heavy congestion at M4 junction
This is from the traffic camera at junction 37 Pyle.
Motorists are being diverted off.
Cathy Owen
Police issue update
South Wales Police say they are dealing with an incident on a bridge between Pyle and Margam (junctions 37-38)
Cathy Owen
Congestion on surrounding routes
Traffic Wales has issued a map of the area showing the main congestion points.
They are warning that the A48 is also busy as people divert off the motorway.
Cathy Owen
Police appeal to drivers
Police are appealing for people to stay in their cars.
A statement said: "With regards to the on going Police incident J37 Porthcawl to J38 Margam where the motorway is closed both directions. Can persons please remain within their vehicles and to keep the hard shoulder clear for emergency service vehicles. Thank you."
Cathy Owen
Road remains closed
The motorway is still closed in both directions.
Cathy Owen
Motorists being taken off motorway
One eyewitness said that traffic that isn’t already stuck is coming off at junction 37 Pyle.
Cathy Owen
Congestion is building
Traffic is building heading eastbound.
There are tailbacks back to junction 40 at Port Talbot.
Cathy Owen
Diversions that have been put in place
There are diversions that have been put in place via Pyle but traffic is very busy in both directions in the area.
Cathy Owen
People are out of their cars
People have got out of their cars as traffic has been brought to a standstill.
No further details of the nature of the 'police incident' have been issued.
Cathy Owen
Traffic brought to a halt
The traffic cameras at Kenfig near Bridgend show where traffic has been brought to a halt heading eastbound.
Motorists are being urged to avoid the area.
KEY EVENT
Police issue statement
This is what South Wales Police has said:
We are at the scene of an incident on the M4 Junction 38. The road is closed in both directions between J37 Porthcawl and J38 Margam. It is expected to remain closed for some time. Motorists are advised to avoid the area and use alternative routes where possible. Delays are expected in the area.
