Motorway closure: M4 motorway closed in Berkshire after crash and will stay shut for hours - as drivers warned of one mile of congestion
A major motorway will remain shut for hours after being closed during the morning rush hour due to a crash.
Part of the M4 in Berkshire has been closed since around 5am today (Tuesday February 17).
The westbound carriageway is shut between junction 10 - the Winnersh Interchange with the A329(M) - and junction 11 for Reading and the A33 at Three Mile Cross. Traffic is approaching junction 10 and could worsen towards junction 9 for Maidenhead.
The diversion takes motorists onto the A329(M) and local roads in Reading, such as the B3270. Thames Valley Police and South Central Ambulance Service are in attendance.
According to Google traffic maps, the M4 westbound between junction 10 and 11 will remain closed for much of the afternoon. It’s predicted on Google maps that the closure will continue until 2:30pm.
Drivers using the road are advised to leave the M4 at junction 10 and use the A329(M) instead.
The National Highways website states: "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 'X' (Twitter) feed. Our 24/7 contact centre team is also available to provide up to the minute information on 0300 123 5000."
National Highways also confirmed the road is closed "following a collision which resulted in a fuel spillage affecting all lanes and damage to the nearside barrier" and it would therefore be closed for “several hours”.
Work is ongoing this afternoon to clean up spilled fuel and also repair a damaged barrier following this morning’s crash. Drivers are being warned to expect continued delays. The latest update from National Highways says drivers can expect one mile of congestion on approach to closure, which remains in place this afternoon.
Recovery crews are now in the process of installing lane closures and removing the full closure, National Highways said on X in the late afternoon. Responding to a query from a user about possible re-opening times, it said: "Hi there, we're in the process of installing lane closures and removing the full closure. We'll issue an updated X when the lane closures are in."