A major motorway bridge was closed this evening causing huge traffic jams after an air ambulance landed at a ‘serious incident’.
The M4 Prince of Wales Bridge, which connects England and Wales across the Severn, was closed to traffic this evening after a woman was hit by a lorry around 6pm and taken to hospital. Disruption affected traffic in both directions from junction 22 on the M49 to junction 23 on the M48. Multiple emergency services were witnessed at the scene, including police from both sides of the border and an air ambulance.
Drivers have been urged to follow a diversion via the M48 Severn Bridge.
A spokesperson for Gwent Police said: “At around 6pm on Tuesday 22 April, we received a report of a road traffic collision heading west on the Prince of Wales Bridge between junctions 22 and 23.
“Officers attended along with paramedics and the Air Ambulance Service.
“The collision involved a pedestrian and a lorry.
“The pedestrian, a woman, was taken to hospital for treatment.
“The eastbound carriageway has now re-opened to traffic along with two lanes heading west.
“Diversions are also in place via the M48 Severn Bridge.”
The bridge reopened to traffic at around 8pm.
An update from Gwent Police said: “Officers have now reopened Junction 22 – 23 in both directions on the Prince of Wales Bridge. Thank you for your patience. Stay safe.”
Images from local traffic cameras shoed vehicles at a standstill, with at least one person appearing to have left their car.
A post on the National Highways website reads: “The M4 in South Gloucestershire/Monmouthshire is closed between J21 and J23 (Prince of Wales Bridge) due to a serious incident.
“Avon & Somerset Police and Gwent Police are on scene. Great Western Air Ambulance are also attending.”
It follows a separate multiple-vehicle collision which took place near junction 23 of the M4 at around 3.55pm this afternoon, involving two cars and two vans.
Police and ambulance crews attended the scene.
Elsewhere, motorists have faced huge tailbacks and long delays on the M1 this evening, with part of the motorway closed earlier today following a police incident near Junction 5 for Watford.
Traffic has been held from J4 in Elstree and J5 in Watford, and vehicles have also been stopped on the southbound between J6 in Bricket Wood and J5, National Highways said.
This is a breaking news story. Follow us on Google News, Flipboard, Apple News, Twitter, Facebook or visit The Mirror homepage.
Get email updates with the day’s biggest stories