**Major Delays as Collision Closes Lanes on Prince of Wales Bridge**
Motorists travelling on the M4 this morning are experiencing severe delays after a collision forced the closure of two eastbound lanes on the Prince of Wales Bridge, causing significant congestion in the region. The incident has occurred between Junction 23 (Monmouthshire) and Junction 22 (Redwick), with traffic authorities warning drivers to expect heavy disruption as emergency services respond to the scene.
Traffic Wales, the government agency responsible for motorways and major roads across Wales, has classified the disruption as “severe”, urging commuters and freight hauliers to consider alternative routes where possible. The crash, reported just after 8:30am today, has already led to prolonged queues as morning rush hour traffic builds up, with live monitoring services indicating a marked slowdown in journey times for those approaching the affected stretch.
At present, there has been no indication of the number of vehicles involved or the extent of any injuries. Emergency personnel, including police and highways officers, remain at the location to manage the situation, clear the affected lanes, and assist any individuals caught up in the incident. An update on the anticipated duration of the lane closures has not yet been provided.
The Prince of Wales Bridge—an essential link spanning the Severn Estuary and serving as a primary gateway between South Wales and the West of England—is a critical route for commuter, commercial, and tourist traffic alike. Even fairly minor incidents on this bridge can cause wide-reaching disruption, underscoring the importance of timely information and responsive traffic management on such a busy artery.
With eastbound lanes reduced and traffic at a virtual crawl, many drivers have reported being stuck for lengthy periods. Local authorities have encouraged travellers to remain patient, keep tuned to travel updates via the Traffic Wales website and social media channels, and only set off if strictly necessary during the height of the disruption. For those already en route, advice has been given to ensure vehicles are adequately fuelled, and that drivers allow for potential further delays as congestion spills into surrounding link roads.
It is not the first time this year that major delays have been recorded on the M4 at key crossing points. The combination of greater summer traffic and ongoing maintenance work had already left many frustrated by stop-start journeys. Today’s incident again highlights the vulnerability of this strategic transport corridor to unexpected disruptions.
There are also broader concerns for businesses relying on timely deliveries, as commercial traffic faces diversion and scheduling headaches. With forecasted congestion expected to last well into the day, the economic impact of such delays can quickly multiply, particularly for perishable goods and time-sensitive shipments.
In the interim, those affected are being kept informed through regular updates from both Traffic Wales and third-party traffic monitoring services such as Inrix. Live data suggests the weight of traffic continues to build, and with surrounding detours also becoming congested, the advice is to postpone non-essential travel in the area where possible.
Further updates will be provided as the situation develops, including any statements from emergency services or the Highways Agency regarding the cause of the collision and estimated reopening times for the blocked lanes. Travellers are encouraged to remain alert to changing road conditions and heed all official guidance available.