Imagine being stuck in traffic for hours, only to find out a massive crash involving multiple vehicles caused a fire on one of the UK’s busiest motorways. That’s exactly what happened on the M4, where a lane remains closed after a dramatic incident that left motorists stranded and emergency services scrambling. But here’s where it gets even more frustrating: the chaos isn’t over yet. One lane is still shut down due to extensive damage, with repairs only scheduled for Sunday evening. Let’s break it down.
On Saturday afternoon, around 14:15 GMT, emergency crews were called to the M4 eastbound between junctions 17 (Chippenham) and 16 (Swindon West) in Wiltshire. The scene? A multi-vehicle collision that escalated into a single-vehicle fire. While the fire was contained, the aftermath has been a headache for drivers. Traffic monitoring site Inrix reported delays of up to two hours, with queues stretching nearly eight miles (12.8km). And this is the part most people miss: even though the incident happened on a weekend, the ripple effects are still being felt, with repairs pushing into Sunday night.
But here’s the controversial bit: Should motorways be better equipped to handle such incidents, or is this simply an unavoidable consequence of high traffic volumes? Let us know your thoughts in the comments. For now, if you’re planning to travel on the M4, brace yourself for potential delays—and maybe consider an alternative route. Stay updated by following BBC Wiltshire on Facebook (https://www.facebook.com/BBCRadioWiltshire), X (https://twitter.com/BBCWiltshire), and Instagram (https://www.instagram.com/bbcwiltshire/). Got a story idea? Send it our way via email or WhatsApp on 0800 313 4630 (https://bbc.in/47DEoQy).
