**Major Collision on M4 Leads to Lengthy Delays Near Margam: Police Urge Drivers to Avoid Area**
A serious road traffic collision has caused significant disruption on the M4 motorway near Junction 38 at Margam, with emergency services attending the scene and police warning drivers that long delays are expected in the area. The incident, which occurred on the westbound carriageway during the early evening of Thursday, has not resulted in a full road closure, but has prompted authorities to caution motorists and encourage the use of alternative routes where possible.
The situation first came to light when South Wales Police issued an official statement advising drivers to avoid the area surrounding Junction 38. “We’re at the scene of a serious collision on the M4 Junction 38 Margam westbound. The road is not closed, but there are significant delays. Please use an alternative route and avoid the area at this time,” police announced.
Live traffic updates from monitoring service Inrix indicated heavy queueing traffic beginning at Junction 37 (Pyle/Porthcawl) and stretching through to Junction 38 (A48 Margam). The congestion has not been limited to the M4 itself; surrounding routes, including the northbound A4229 leading towards the Pyle roundabout and the A48 heading for Pyle Cross, have seen marked increases in congestion as motorists attempt to bypass the affected section of the motorway.
Cameras operated by Traffic Wales have provided real-time images from the scene, revealing extensive lines of stationary and slow-moving vehicles. At around 6:51 pm, footage captured thick congestion as the evening rush hour compounded the impact of the collision and ongoing roadworks. According to reports, the initial collision took place within a coned-off portion of roadworks, further complicating the recovery and clearance efforts.
As a result, significant tailbacks have developed both on the motorway and on key diversion routes. Traffic mapping services such as Google Maps highlighted a pronounced red line—an indicator of the heaviest congestion—dominating the affected stretch of the M4, making the area especially difficult for motorists to navigate.
The authorities have thanked the public for their understanding and patience in light of the delays. There have been appeals for cooperation as police and traffic management personnel work to resolve the incident and restore normal flow on one of South Wales’ most vital transport arteries. While full details of the collision are yet to be confirmed, the presence of emergency services at the scene underlines the gravity of the incident and the need for caution.
Motorists travelling westbound towards Swansea and further afield are being advised to factor in additional journey time or postpone their journeys if possible. The knock-on effects of the incident are likely to persist into the evening, with the volume of displaced traffic creating bottlenecks on local approaches.
This accident comes amid previous reports of serious traffic issues on the M4 in recent days, including a recent car fire which brought the motorway to a standstill. Such frequent incidents have once again raised questions about the resilience of infrastructure and the ongoing challenges posed by maintenance works and unplanned emergencies on major UK roadways.
As the situation develops, commuters are encouraged to monitor local news outlets and social media for further updates from police and Traffic Wales. Additional information regarding the cause of the collision, as well as any resulting injuries or disruption to surrounding services, is expected to be released as soon as it is available. Until then, drivers are strongly advised to remain patient and to heed official warnings as efforts continue to return the region’s vital motorway network to normal operation.