Major motorway closed after body is discovered on carriageway

Two major British motorways have been closed after the discovery of a body.

The M4 has been closed in both directions after police found a body in the road at around 6:30pm earlier tonight following reports from concerned drivers.

Police attended the scene on the carriageway between Junctions 20 and 21 in Gloucestershire a short time later and found 'human remains'.

The M4 is closed in both directions between Junctions 20 near Almondsbury and Junction 22 near the Prince of Wales Bridge, close to the England-Wales border.

The M48 from Junction 1 shut eastbound, while the Severn Crossing remains open. 

A spokesperson for Avon & Somerset Police said: 'Police were called at 6.40pm on Saturday 22 February by several drivers reporting something in the road. 

'Officers attended and found human remains.

'Enquiries are underway to identify the deceased and notify next of kin, while an investigation to establish how the person came to be on the motorway continues. The road is expected to remain closed into the early hours of Sunday 23 February. 

'Police are keen to hear from anyone who was travelling along that stretch of the M4 has any relevant information or dashcam footage. If you can help please call 101 and give the reference 5224047292.' 

Links from the M5 Junction 15 south to the M4 Junction 20 west are also closed, so too are the M5 Junction 16 north to M4 Junction 20 west.

National Highways has warned drivers stuck within the closures to 'not attempt to turn around until instructed to do so.'

'Road users caught within the closure will be released by turning around under supervision of our Traffic Officers and police. This is a complex operation and will take time due to the location and volume of traffic,' they said.

Both police and National Highways Traffic Officers remain at the scene.  

Those travelling in and out of Wales this evening should expect significant delays.