A significant stretch of the M4 motorway near Bristol is closed this morning (Friday, December 3) after a lorry hit the central reservation in the early hours.
The crash happened at around 3:30am, and the police, fire service, and National Highways attended, closing the eastbound carriageway entirely between J19 and J18, as well as lane three westbound in the same location.
A National Highways spokesperson said that there is "severe damage" to the central reservation and that lane one eastbound needs resurfacing following a diesel spill, which will both take many hours to repair.
M4 TRAFFIC LIVE:Lorry crashes through central reservation between Bristol and Bath
A spokesperson for Avon and Somerset Police confirmed that no injuries were reported following the crash.
A spokesperson for National Highways said that a "long strip" of the central reservation between J19 and J18 needs repairing and that it will take a matter of hours to be repaired.
The eastbound carriageway is closed completely while work to repair the barrier is ongoing, and that work means that lane three of the westbound carriageway has had to be closed while Highways staff are working.
National Highways said that they are "hoping" to have repaired the central reservation by the end of the morning to then reopen lanes two and three eastbound and lane three westbound, but it's set to take "a few hours".
Lane one of the eastbound carriageway will remain closed all day today for resurfacing after diesel was spilt in the crash. Avon Fire and Rescue said they cleared 175 litres of diesel from the motorway.
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In a statement, a spokesperson for National Highways said: “At around 3:30am this morning a lorry hit the central reservation between J19 and J18 of the M4.
“It has caused severe damage to the central reservation and a long strip of that needs to be replaced. There is also a diesel spill in the furthest lane on the carriageway from where it started, lane one going eastbound.
“Because of that, we’ve had to close the whole of the road eastbound and lane three westbound while they’re fixing the eastbound carriageway.
“Crews are working to fix the central reservation right now. They are hoping to have lanes two and three eastbound reopened later this morning, but it’s going to be a few hours.
“Lane three westbound is closed because of the work to repair the central reservation in lanes two and three. The hope is that that will be able to be reopened as soon as the barrier is repaired.
“Lane one eastbound needs resurfacing, and that will be closed all day.
“Diversions are in place via junction one of the M32, onto the A4174, then the A432, and then back onto the M4 at junction 18.
“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.”
For the full details on the diversion in place following the crash, click here
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