The eastbound lane is still closed this morning

Subscribe to our daily newsletter for the latest and breaking news in Bristol.

The M4 eastbound lane near Bristol was still closed this morning (Friday, December 3) because a truck crashed into the central reserve and spilled diesel on the highway.

At 3:46 in the morning, Avon Fire and Rescue was called into the accident between junctions 18 and 19 and worked to clean up the “major” diesel spill described on the national highway.

Although the second and third lanes will be reopened within a few hours after the central reserve is repaired, the first lane will remain closed for the entire day after the leak.

M4 TRAFFIC LIVE: The truck crashed on the central reserve between Bristol and Bath

Avon Fire and Rescue said in a statement this morning that staff from Temple and Kingswood were dispatched to the scene of the accident between junctions 18 and 19 of the M4 highway.

When the staff arrived, they discovered a truck crash that affected both the eastbound and westbound lanes. Approximately 175 liters of diesel on the road "ruptured" from the fuel tank from the eastbound lane accident.

The firefighters used a smooth, two high-pressure hose reels, pinions and three environmental protection bags to clean up the spill, and left the scene at 5:52 in the morning.

However, the diesel leak caused significant damage to one of the eastbound lanes, causing it to be urgently resurfaced, and the National Highway Team is carrying out this work today.

National Highway said in a statement that they "hope" to be able to reopen the two- and three-lane eastbound lanes and the three-lane westbound lanes later this morning, once the central reservation barrier is repaired, although this work is in progress . It is expected to take several hours.

As the resurfacing work has been completed after the diesel leak, lane 1 of the eastbound lane will be closed all day.

Avon Fire and Rescue Company said in a statement: “The staff from Temple and Kingswood were mobilized at 03:46 and reported a road traffic collision between M4 Eastbound junctions 18 and 19.

"On arrival, the staff found that a heavy goods vehicle had collided, affecting the westbound and eastbound lanes of the driveway.

“Firefighters worked hard to control approximately 175 liters of diesel fuel from the rupture of the fuel tank onto the road. The crew used smooth, two high-pressure hose reels, pinions and three eco-friendly bags to remove fuel spilled from the road.

“The M4 highway between junctions 18 and 19 may remain closed until today (December 3) at least 12:00. The firefighters left the scene at 05:52 and were taken over by the national highway. We encourage Those who travel in the area pay attention to national highways and learn about the latest situation of road closures."

For complete details on diversions after the crash, click here

Want our best stories to have fewer ads and alerts when the biggest news stories fall? Download our app on iPhone or Android