Overview
- An HGV struck the M4 central reservation early Thursday at about 2:10am, causing a large diesel spill and damaging roughly 300 metres of barrier.
- The westbound carriageway between Junction 16 (Swindon) and Junction 17 (Chippenham) was closed and lane 3 eastbound was also shut because of the vehicle’s final position.
- Hundreds of motorists were held in long queues, with some reporting waits of several hours before traffic officers began turning and releasing trapped vehicles.
- Recovery of the HGV was completed at 06:40 and National Highways crews began treating the contaminated surface, but an inspector has since confirmed about 146 metres of carriageway must be resurfaced.
- Signed Solid Diamond diversions are in place for smaller and larger vehicles, and officials warn the closure will likely last through the evening peak so drivers should re-route or delay journeys.