Drivers face long delays as part of the M4 is closed in Berkshire due to a crash.
The westbound carriageway shut between junction 10 – the Winnersh Interchange with the A329(M) – and junction 11 for Reading and the A33 at Three Mile Cross.
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 were in attendance.
A man in his 30s was arrested following a pursuit after a vehicle failed to stop, the Metropolitan Police said.
During the pursuit, the driver rammed a police car, causing it to swerve and lose a tyre, a spokesperson also said.
Recovery crews are in the process of installing lane closures and removing the full closure, National Highways has said on X this 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."
The latest update from National Highways says drivers can expect one mile of congestion on approach to closure.
The #M4 westbound remains CLOSED between J10 (#A329M, #Reading) and J11 (#Basingstoke, #A33) for ongoing clear up works to treat a fuel spillage following a collision.
1 mile of congestion on approach to the closure.
Diversion info here: https://t.co/rodjhghaIa… pic.twitter.com/7NZz7EcQiu
An image shows drivers stuck in traffic on the M4 next to what appears to be repair crews working near the scene of the crash.
In its latest update, National Highways said: "The M4 westbound in Berkshire is closed between J10 Winnersh Interchange (Reading (E), Wokingham, Bracknell A329(M)) and J11 Three Mile Cross Interchange (Reading (C & S), Basingstoke A33).
"The road remains closed following a collision which resulted in a fuel spillage affecting all lanes and damage to the nearside barrier. Our area team are on scene to treat the spillage and assess the barrier damage."
A queue has formed near a blocked off lane between Junctions 9 and 10 on the M4 westbound. A repair crew is on the road to treat fuel spillage and assess barrier damage caused by an accident which occured nearby.
Work is ongoing to clean up spilled fuel and repair a damaged barrier following a crash on the M4 this morning.
The road remains closed westbound between Junction 10 and 11. Drivers are being warned to expect delays.
According to traffic maps, the M4 westbound between junction 10 and 11 will remain closed for much of the afternoon. Google tarffic maps predict the closure will continue until 2:30pm.
Thames Valley Police's roads policing unit and South Central Ambulance Service were deployed to the crash site this morning. "Please be aware of a closure on the M4 between Junctions 10 and 11 following a collision," the policing unit said in a post on X.
The road remains closed after the collision resulted in a fuel spillage affecting all lanes and damage to the nearside barrier. "Our area team is on scene to treat the spillage and assess the barrier damage," National Highways said.
An image from a live traffic feed, taken at 7:57am, shows what Junction 10 of the M4 looks like this morning as commuters head to work.
The westbound lane remains closed between J10 (A329M, Reading) and J11 (Basingstoke, A33) for clear up works following a collision.
The situation on the M4 is here to stay for hours to come, it would seem. Google Traffic is indicating an estimated reopening time of 12.30pm for the motorway.
Yes, you read that correctly. The road is expected to remain closed until this afternoon, which will mean traffic congestion for the major arterial road could be far-reaching. The M4 does link London to places such as Reading, Bath, Bristol, Cardiff and beyond – so only time will tell how far down the road congestion will be felt.
A caveat: Motorway reopening timeframes are, of course, estimates, and are subject to change as the incident continues to unfold.
National Highways has issued a statement in relation to the current closure on the M4.
"The M4 westbound in Berkshire is closed between J10 Winnersh Interchange (Reading (E), Wokingham, Bracknell A329(M) and J11 Three Mile Cross Interchange (Reading (C & S), Basingstoke A33)," the spokesperson said. The motorway was shut earlier this morning "following a collision which resulted in a fuel spillage affecting all lanes and damage to the nearside barrier".
Specialist teams from the English highway authority are now at the scene "to treat the spillage and [to] assess the barrier damage."
The spokesperson added: "Expect road to be closed for several hours."
Rush Hour is quickly turning into a bumper-to-bumper hellscape of traffic congestion, with CCTV footage capturing massive queues that have already formed on the M4.
Congestion is still growing as motorists attempt to divert around the closure, with National Highways urging motorists to rethink their travel plans if possible.
A motorway traffic camera on the M4 caught the above image at about 5.40am between J8 and J9 near Maidenhead, which does not bode well for the rest of today’s morning commute as the morning traffic peak sets in.
The National Highways website says: "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."
The M4 is a major motorway connecting London with south Wales. It is typically used by commuters so the closure will be a blow for those working in Reading and Basingstoke.
It means commuters heading for the likes of Reading, Basingstoke and Swindon, will need to leave home with extra time today as traffic is backing up.
The National Highways has asked drivers for their patience while the accident is cleared.
Thames Valley Police and leading the incident response.
South Central Ambulance Service and National Highways Traffic Officers are also attending.
The road is expected to be closed for several hours.
The M4 westbound is beginning to get congested, almost to junction nine – the A404(M) link – for Maidenhead.
Drivers are, though, not encouraged to use the A404(M) and instead remain on the M4 until junction 10.
They should then use the diversion onto the A329(M), which is highlighted with the hollow square symbol on signs.
Drivers should leave the M4 at junction 10 and use the A329(M).
Diversion Route
Traffic should exit at J10 and follow the route marked with a hollow square symbol on local road signs:
The M4 westbound in Berkshire is closed between junction 10 – the Winnersh Interchange (Reading, Wokingham, Bracknell A329(M)) and J11 Three Mile Cross Interchange (Reading (central & south), Basingstoke A33).
The road is closed due to a serious collision.
Thames Valley Police and leading the incident response. South Central Ambulance Service and National Highways Traffic Officers are also attending.
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