M4 misery for thousands of drivers stuck in TWO-HOUR queues
So much for the summer getaway! M4 misery for thousands of drivers stuck in TWO-HOUR queues in stifling 83F heat after lorry fire forces closure of major motorway in both directions
- Holidaymakers hoping for a prompt getaway ahead of weekend met with misery
- Both eastbound and westbound M4 carriageways between J14 and J15 closed
- Travellers were seen getting out of their cars and sitting with their boots open
- Have you been cuaght up in the traffic chaos? Email: [email protected]
Thousands of drivers have been stuck in two-hour queues on the M4 in stifling 83F heat after a lorry fire forced the closure of the major motorway in both directions.
Holidaymakers hoping for a prompt getaway ahead of the weekend were met with misery as traffic came to a standstill near Swindon earlier today.
Both the eastbound and westbound carriageways between J14 and J15 were closed following the lorry blaze.
Travellers were seen getting out of their cars and sitting with their boots open or on the central reservation amid the standstill – despite advise from authorities.
Thousands of drivers have been stuck in two-hour queues on the M4 in stifling 83F heat after a lorry fire forced the closure of the major motorway in both directions
Holidaymakers hoping for a prompt getaway ahead of the weekend were met with misery as traffic came to a standstill near Swindon earlier today
Highways England took to Twitter ealier today with a post that read: ‘Please approach the area with caution and if you are in the stopped traffic please do not leave your vehicles
‘Due to the nature of the fire and the contents of the lorry we are looking to start installing full closures of the M4 in both directions between J14 and J15.
‘If you are in the trapped traffic please bear with us, we will work to get you moving soon.’
In one of the latest updates, at 3.55pm, traffic monitoring site Inrix said: ‘M4 in both directions closed, queueing traffic due to lorry fire between J14 A338 (Hungerford) and J15 A346 Marlborough Road (Swindon East).
Thousands of drivers have been stuck in two-hour queues on the M4 in stifling 83F heat after a lorry fire forced the closure of the major motorway in both directions
Dorset and Wiltshire Fire & Rescue Service arrived at the scene to douse the lorry which had been ripped apart by flames
Highways England has since suggested that normal traffic conditions will not return until after 5pm (lorry aftermath pictured)
‘Both carriageways have been closed for safety reasons. Police are working to release trapped traffic from the scene.
‘Diversion – Eastbound traffic is diverted via Eddington towards Newbury. Westbound traffic is diverted via Marlborough towards Swindon.’
Dorset and Wiltshire Fire & Rescue Service also said: ‘We are currently dealing with a lorry fire on the M4 eastbound between J15 Swindon & J14 Hungerford.’
Highways England has since suggested that normal traffic conditions will not return until after 5pm.
It comes as temperatures across the UK began hotting up with some areas reaching stifling highs of 83F.
The UK could see the hottest day of the year so far with temperatures predicted to reach 87F this Sunday in parts of the UK – making it warmer than Ibiza.
Have you been cuaght up in the traffic chaos? Email: [email protected]
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