A serious collision on the M4 motorway has brought rush hour traffic to a standstill this evening, with all vehicles being temporarily held in both directions between junctions 37 and 38 in South Wales.
The crash is severely impacting motorists travelling westbound from junction 37 A4229 at Pyle and Porthcawl to junction 38 at Margam, with traffic management systems confirming that all traffic is being temporarily held whilst emergency services deal with the incident.
Long delays are building rapidly as the evening rush hour intensifies, with queues stretching back several miles in both directions. The incident has created a traffic nightmare for thousands of commuters attempting to make their way home across the region.
Traffic Wales, the Welsh government’s motorway and trunk road information service, reports that the eastbound carriageway is also experiencing severe disruption in the same area. One lane has been closed due to a collision between junction 38 A48 at Margam and junction 37 A4229 at Pyle and Porthcawl, compounding the traffic problems.
“Motorists are advised to avoid the area and seek alternative routes where possible,” a Traffic Wales spokesperson stated. The dual incidents have effectively paralysed this crucial section of the M4, which serves as a major arterial route connecting South Wales with the rest of the UK.
The affected stretch of motorway between Pyle and Margam is a notoriously busy section, particularly during peak travel times. Junction 37 serves the coastal towns of Porthcawl and Pyle in Bridgend County Borough, whilst junction 38 provides access to Margam and the surrounding areas of Neath Port Talbot.
Emergency services are understood to be at the scene, though South Wales Police have not yet released details about the nature of the collision or any potential casualties. The Welsh Ambulance Service has been contacted for comment regarding their response to the incident.
Motorists caught in the delays have reported complete gridlock, with some drivers switching off their engines as traffic remains stationary. Social media reports suggest some commuters have been stuck for over an hour, with frustration mounting as the evening progresses.
The incident has triggered significant knock-on effects across the regional road network. Local routes through Pyle, Kenfig, and Margam are experiencing heavy congestion as drivers attempt to find alternative routes around the motorway closure.
Traffic monitoring systems indicate delays of at least 60 minutes above normal journey times, with the situation expected to worsen before it improves. The timing of the incident, coinciding with the evening rush hour, has maximised its impact on the travelling public.
This section of the M4 has been the subject of ongoing maintenance work in recent months, with bridge deck refurbishment projects between junctions 37 and 38. However, there is no indication that today’s incident is related to any planned roadworks.
The dual carriageway nature of the incident, affecting both eastbound and westbound traffic, has created particular challenges for traffic management. With limited diversion routes available in this area, motorists face lengthy detours through local roads ill-equipped to handle motorway volumes.
Commuters travelling towards Swansea and West Wales are being advised to consider leaving the M4 at earlier junctions and following the A48 through Bridgend and Neath as an alternative route. Those heading eastwards towards Cardiff may need to use local roads through Porthcawl and Bridgend to bypass the affected section.
The police have not yet indicated how long the motorway is expected to remain closed or restricted. In cases of serious collisions, roads can remain closed for several hours whilst collision investigation work is carried out and the carriageway is cleared.
Local businesses in the area have reported staff being unable to reach work for evening shifts, with the traffic disruption having a wider economic impact beyond the immediate inconvenience to motorists.
Regular commuters on this route have expressed frustration at what they describe as frequent incidents causing major delays. The M4 through South Wales carries approximately 100,000 vehicles per day, making any closure a significant event for the regional transport network.
As darkness falls, the additional hazard of reduced visibility may further complicate recovery efforts. Highways officials are urging extreme caution for any motorists in the area, particularly those stuck in queuing traffic.
Traffic Wales continues to monitor the situation closely and is providing regular updates through its website and social media channels. Motorists are advised to check traffic conditions before travelling and to allow significant extra time for journeys in the area this evening.
The incident serves as a stark reminder of how quickly major transport routes can become paralysed when serious incidents occur, particularly during peak travel periods.
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