Commuters heading into London are facing severe disruption this Tuesday morning after a section of the M4 motorway was forced to close for emergency repairs.
Motorway Closure and Diversion Details
The eastbound carriageway between junction 12 for Theale and junction 11 at Reading is completely shut during the crucial morning rush hour. This closure was implemented by National Highways to allow crews to conduct emergency resurfacing work. The necessary repairs stem from an oil spillage that occurred as a result of a collision on the London-bound carriageway overnight.
With the main artery into the capital severed, a official diversion route is in place, directing motorists through Reading itself. As a direct consequence, roads in and around Reading are experiencing significant congestion, compounding travel woes for thousands of drivers.
Cause of the Incident and Expected Duration
The root cause of the disruption was a traffic collision that led to a substantial oil spill on the road surface. A spokesperson for National Highways confirmed that a full closure was essential to allow service providers to safely resurface the damaged section of the motorway.
There is a glimmer of hope for Wednesday's commute, as authorities have stated they expect the closure to be lifted before the peak travel hours tomorrow morning. The M4 is a vital route, continuing eastwards into West London and the heart of the capital, making this closure particularly impactful for a vast number of motorists.
Travelers are strongly advised to seek alternative routes if possible and to allow for considerable extra journey time if their travel plans are affected by this ongoing incident.
