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M4 closure after lorry overturns Ten mile tailbacks after M4 crash
(about 3 hours later)
All three lanes of the eastbound stretch of the M4 in Newport, south Wales are closed after a lorry overturned on the motorway. Motorists are facing 10-mile tailbacks after a lorry crashed into the central reservation of the M4 at Newport.
One lane on the other side of the carriageway is also blocked due to debris on the road after the lorry hit the central reservation. One lane has re-opened eastbound after motorists in the morning rush-hour were diverted off the motorway after the lorry overturned, injuring the driver.
A two mile queue has built up from the scene of the crash between junctions 26 (Malpas Road) and 24 (Coldra). Gwent Police urged drivers to be patient and said partial closures and speed limits between junctions 24 and 28 would continue into this evening.
Firefighters released the lorry driver and he was taken to hospital. The lorry driver was taken to hospital after the crash at 0550 GMT.
The South Wales Fire Service used a ladder and small gear to release the man who was treated at the scene before being taken to hospital. He had to be released by firefighters after the crash close to junction 25.
Around 18 firefighters from Malpas, Dyffryn and Maindy were called to the scene of the collision, which happened at around 0550 GMT on Wednesday. The M4 was closed between junctions 24 and 28 eastbound and a diversion put in place along the southern distributor road.
Crews also dealt with a spillage of 40 litres of diesel before leaving the scene. Police said damage was caused to approximately 30-40m of the central barrier and 60-70m of the nearside barrier. The road surface also needed repair work, said officers.
Gwent Police said the lorry has been righted but has not been removed from the scene yet. Tailbacks stretched back for 10 miles, from junction 28 to 32 on the eastbound side, coming from Cardiff into Newport.
There is no estimated time for the eastbound stretch to re-open but Traffic Wales reported that it could be closed for the rest of the day. This type of collision on a such a busy motorway just before rush hour obviously causes motorists a lot of disruption Ch Insp John Pavett, Gwent Police
The closure is affecting traffic heading from the Cardiff area into Newport. Gwent Police said they recovered the lorry at around 1030 GMT.
Afterwards they were able to open lane one eastbound to a small amount of traffic.
However, this lane is due to close and then lanes two and three eastbound will re-open with the same restrictions.
Between 1400 and 2000 GMT all lanes eastbound will be opened with restrictions.
At 2000 GMT lane three eastbound will be closed.
'Temporary repairs'
On the westbound side, Gwent Police said lane three was due to close while lanes one and two westbound would remain open.
Ch Insp John Pavett from Gwent Police said: "This type of collision on a such a busy motorway just before rush hour obviously causes motorists a lot of disruption.
"While the three lanes of the eastbound carriageway are going to be reopened during the busier times, because of the restrictions that are in place to ensure safety including speed limits and a police presence, obviously this will still have an impact on traffic flow.
"We anticipate that the temporary repairs will begin later today."
South Wales Fire Service used a ladder and small gear to release the lorry driver, who was treated at the scene before being taken to the Royal Gwent Hospital in Newport.
Around 18 firefighters from Malpas, Dyffryn and Maindy also dealt with a spillage of 40 litres of diesel.