**Major Disruption on M4 Near Newport After Vehicle Fire Prompts Lane Closures**
Drivers travelling along the M4 near Newport faced significant disruption on Thursday afternoon following a vehicle fire that brought traffic to a standstill on one of the region’s busiest motorways. Emergency services responded rapidly to the incident, but two lanes of the eastbound carriageway remained shut for several hours, resulting in severe delays for motorists during the peak of rush hour.
The incident occurred between Junction 25 at Caerleon and Junction 24 at Coldra, a notorious bottleneck that often sees heavy traffic even under normal circumstances. As of early evening, both lanes 1 and 2 were closed to allow fire crews and traffic officers to deal with the situation safely. Eyewitnesses reported seeing smoke billowing from the affected vehicle, and several drivers shared images and updates on social media, highlighting the severity of the disruption.
The resulting congestion quickly spilled back towards Junction 27, leaving drivers stuck in lengthy queues. In addition to the eastbound issues, delays of up to an hour were also reported on the westbound side of the motorway near the Brynglas Tunnels, a choke-point well-known to regular commuters in Newport. Authorities warned that traffic could worsen as the evening rush hour progressed, and urged anyone able to avoid the area to seek alternative routes.
Traffic Wales, who monitor road conditions and provide updates on incidents across the region, were among the first to notify the public of the scale of the disruption. Their teams remained active on the scene, managing traffic flows and working alongside fire and police personnel to ensure safety and facilitate a swift resolution. At time of reporting, no injuries had been confirmed, but officials have yet to release full details regarding the cause of the vehicle fire.
This incident comes amid a spell of exceptional heat, with temperatures in Cardiff reaching as high as 30°C earlier in the day. Such conditions can exacerbate the dangers of vehicle fires, as high temperatures increase the likelihood of engines overheating and roadside grass catching alight. The Met Office has forecast that the heatwave will continue into the weekend, with some areas expected to experience highs of up to 32°C, putting further pressure on road users and emergency services alike.
Motorists caught up in today’s delays expressed frustration at the disruption, but many also voiced appreciation for the swift actions of emergency responders. “It’s a nightmare to be stuck in, but you can see everyone’s doing their best to sort things out safely,” commented one commuter on social media platform X. Others echoed the sentiment, urging fellow drivers to remain patient and considerate until the situation could be resolved.
With holidaymakers and daily commuters relying heavily on the M4 for access to and from South Wales, incidents like today’s fire underscore the vulnerability of the region’s key transport arteries. Calls for improved infrastructure and alternative routes have grown in recent years, particularly as traffic volumes continue to rise across Wales.
Authorities have advised drivers to check for regular updates before setting off on journeys in and around Newport and to consider the use of public transport or car-sharing where possible, particularly during ongoing spells of extreme heat.
As of the early evening bulletin, Traffic Wales reported that clean-up and recovery efforts were progressing, but caution remained the watchword as some delays persisted well into the night. The full extent of disruption is only likely to become clear once all lanes are reopened and the backlog of traffic has dispersed.
Local officials have promised a full investigation into the cause of the fire, with further announcements expected as more information becomes available. For now, the priority remains ensuring the safe movement of traffic and the wellbeing of all road users affected by this disruptive incident.