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M4 Reopens After Twin Crashes Near Cardiff as Storm Claudia Drives Major M5 Delays

Amber rain warnings kept journeys slow despite the M4 fully reopening.

Overview

  • South Wales Fire and Rescue said crews were called at 07:28 to an M4 westbound crash between J28 and J29, used hydraulic cutting to free a trapped person, and logged a stop message at 08:13 after a second four-car collision nearby.
  • Early reports showed multiple lane closures and a diversion via the A48 and A4232, with onlookers slowing traffic on the opposite carriageway and AA/Inrix citing delays up to 94 minutes at average speeds of about 5 mph.
  • Authorities later confirmed the M4 carriageway was cleared and all three lanes were reopened, though drivers were advised to allow extra time due to residual queues.
  • Separately, the M5 near Portishead and Clevedon saw a crash, flooding and an infrastructure defect, prompting emergency repairs and leaving two of three northbound lanes closed between J20 and J19.
  • National Highways and Inrix reported severe M5 delays of up to 140 minutes with congestion back to before J21 and an additional southbound lane closure for flooding.