A serious collision has forced the complete closure of the M4 motorway near Reading, causing severe disruption and lengthy delays during the evening rush hour.
Emergency Response and Closure Details
The incident occurred on the eastbound carriageway between Junction 11 for Reading and Junction 10 for the A329(M), prompting an immediate response from multiple emergency services. Thames Valley Police confirmed they were dealing with a "serious collision" that required the full closure of the affected section.
Traffic cameras showed stationary vehicles stretching back approximately seven miles as emergency crews worked at the scene. Highways England implemented the closure just after 5:30 PM, with National Highways South East warning drivers to expect significant delays throughout the evening.
Travel Chaos and Alternative Routes
Motorists faced extensive queues stretching back to Junction 12 at Theale, with congestion building rapidly on surrounding routes as drivers sought alternatives. Traffic was being diverted via the hollow triangle symbol, taking vehicles off at Junction 11 and redirecting them through local roads before rejoining at Junction 10.
Travel time through the affected area was estimated at over 90 minutes as traffic backed up for miles in both directions. The westbound carriageway remained open but was experiencing slow-moving traffic due to rubbernecking from passing motorists.
Local authorities advised drivers to avoid the area completely if possible and consider alternative routes for essential journeys. Public transport services in the Reading area were also experiencing knock-on delays due to increased traffic on diversion routes.
Ongoing Situation and Updates
As of 7:00 PM, the motorway remained closed with no estimated time for reopening provided by authorities. Emergency services including police, fire, and ambulance crews remained at the scene dealing with the aftermath of the collision.
National Highways confirmed that recovery operations were underway, but warned that the closure would likely remain in place for several hours while investigation work continued. Drivers were urged to check live traffic updates before beginning their journeys.
The incident represents one of the most significant disruptions to the M4 in recent weeks, highlighting the vulnerability of key transport corridors to serious incidents during peak travel periods.
