**Major Disruption on M4 After Multi-Vehicle Collision on Prince of Wales Bridge**
Commuters faced extensive delays this morning after a serious multi-vehicle collision led to the full closure of the M4 eastbound carriageway on the Prince of Wales Bridge, a critical crossing linking England and Wales. Police officers and paramedics remained at the scene for several hours following the incident, which was first reported just before 8am on Wednesday, 6 August.
The crash occurred between junction 23 at Monmouthshire and junction 22 near Redwick, a stretch that is heavily relied upon by both local and long-distance motorists. According to initial reports from Traffic Wales, the collision involved three separate cars and a motorcycle, immediately resulting in a severe build-up of traffic as emergency services raced to the site.
At approximately 8.25am, all eastbound traffic was brought to a standstill on the bridge as authorities responded to the incident. The complete closure of the eastbound side of the Prince of Wales Bridge led to significant tailbacks, with queues stretching up to 11 miles and extending all the way to junction 24 at Coldra. This effectively paralysed a key segment of the region’s motorway network during the morning rush hour.
Emergency services worked swiftly to clear the scene and tended to those involved in the crash. A spokesperson for Gwent Police confirmed that initial assessments indicated all injuries sustained were minor, and reiterated that the police presence, along with paramedics, would remain active at the site until all vehicles could be safely removed and the scene made secure.
By 9.30am, progress had been made, allowing lanes two and three on the eastbound carriageway to reopen and offering some relief to thousands of motorists who had found themselves stranded in traffic. Despite these efforts, lane one remained closed as recovery operations continued, and congestion persisted along the route.
Notably, the westbound lanes of the Prince of Wales Bridge were unaffected and remained open throughout the incident, allowing travel into Wales to proceed as normal. Nonetheless, traffic planners advised journeys could be disrupted for some time and recommended alternative routes where possible.
Motorists caught in the delays reported waiting over 45 minutes to clear the affected area, according to data from the AA’s Traffic Planner. Many voiced frustration but praised the professionalism of the emergency responders on social media platforms.
As always, further details surrounding the cause of the collision will be established as police continue their investigations. Road users are reminded to drive safely and remain vigilant, especially on busy routes during rush hours.
Incidents such as these highlight the fragility of major transport arteries and the cascading impact disruptions can have regionally. Authorities have renewed calls for patience and caution from the driving public and expressed gratitude for the cooperation shown by those affected this morning.
For ongoing travel updates and the latest news on the situation, motorists are encouraged to follow official sources such as Traffic Wales and Gwent Police. The recovery and clean-up operations on the eastbound carriageway are expected to continue into the afternoon, until the bridge is fully reopened.
Those wishing to stay informed are also invited to subscribe to local news bulletins, which provide up-to-date coverage and advice during such incidents. The full reopening of the Prince of Wales Bridge eastbound is anticipated as soon as it is deemed safe by authorities, following the completion of accident and recovery procedures.