M4 traffic: Major motorway CLOSED after power failure sparking travel chaos

It remains unclear as to when the motorway will reopen - we'll be bringing you the very latest updates, pictures and video on this breaking news story

The M4 is closed in both directions this evening due to emergency work being carried out on power lines. Traffic has been halted in both directions between junctions 18 and 19.

National Highways said: "The M4 in South Gloucestershire is closed in both directions between Junction 18 (Bath) and Junction 19 (M32) for National Grid emergency works to an overhead power line. National Grid engineers are carrying out the repairs.

"National Highways Traffic Officers are assisting with closures."

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21:33Steven White

Delays of up to 20 minutes

The National Highways advised to "allow extra time if travelling in the area as delays of 20 mins remain."

20:54KEY EVENT

M4 reopened

The M4 has reopened after having been closed this evening due to emergency repairs to overhead power lines. However, there are still plenty of delays in both the eastbound and westbound directions.

20:48Steven White

Damaged overhead cables

Traffic and travel monitoring service Inrix reorts that overhead power cables have been damaged, although it is not clear how this happened.

20:08Steven White

Empty stretch of M4

The M4 has emptied of trafic between the affected junctions as emergency work is being carried out.

20:01Steven White

Unsafe for vehicles to use the motorway

National Grid engineers are carrying out emergency work to overhead power cables and it is not safe for traffic to use the M4 between junctions 18 and 19.

19:59KEY EVENT

Diversion routes in place

Diversion routes are in place. Drivers heading west should follow the solid circle diversion signs. The westbound diversion is as follows:

• Exit the M4 at J18
• At the roundabout take the 3rd exit on to the A46 northbound
• At Old Sodbury turn left onto the A432
• At the A432/B4059 roundabout, take the 3rd exit onto the B4059
• At the 3rd roundabout take the 2nd exit onto Yate road
• At Nibley t-junction turn right onto the A432
• At the A432/A4174 roundabout, take the 3rd exit onto the A4174
• At the M32 roundabout take the 3rd exit onto the M32
• At the next roundabout take the 1st exit to re-join the M4 at J19

Drivers heading east should follow the solid square diversion signs. The eastbound diversion is as follows:

• Exit the M4 at J19
• Take the 2nd exit off the roundabout onto the M32
• Exit the M32 at J1
• Take the 1st exit off the roundabout onto the A4174
• At the 2nd roundabout take the 1st exit onto the A432
• At Niblet turn left onto Yate road
• At the next roundabout take the 2nd exit onto the B4059
• At the 3rd roundabout take 1st exit onto the A432
• At the T-junction turn right onto the A46
• Re-join the M4 at J18