M4 TUNNEL BLAZE: Lorry fire in Brynglas causes M4 chaos

• M4 Brynglas blaze - in pictures

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22.43pm

Blaze damaged M4 tunnel could be shut 'for days'

DRIVERS face delays on the M4 around Newport as one of the Brynglas tunnel remains closed after this morning's fire.

Structural engineers today assessed damage to the tunnel, but the fire could mean that part of the motorway could be shut for days, Transport Minister Carl Sargeant warned today.

21.41pm

Traffic flowing well in contraflow through eastbound Brynglas tunnel

19.10pm

Contraflow queues around eastbound tunnel on M4

Queueing traffic on M4 due to contraflow both ways between J25 and J26. Contraflow is operating via the Eastbound tunnel with a single lane in either direction.

18.50pm

Eastbound tunnel open - contraflow in operation

A Welsh Government spokesperson said, "The eastbound tunnel at Brynglas has now reopened. A contra flow system is in operation with traffic moving in both directions. All junctions have now also fully reopened.

"It is clear that there remains considerable work to clear debris and conclude the structural assessment to ensure the tunnel is safe for use.

16.54pm

M4 re-opened on M4 eastbound between J32 and J25

16.35pm

A48(M) re-opened - traffic returned to normal

16.31pm

BRYNGLAS FIRE VIDEO: Inside the tunnel - we show the aftermath of today's blaze

16.25pm

Heavy traffic on Heads of the Valleys Road

A465 Heads Of The Valleys Road - Heavy traffic between Ebbw Vale and Merthyr Tydfil

'Look at the M4 relief road again' -AM

SOUTH Wales East Assembly Member William Graham has called on the Welsh Government to look again at the M4 relief road.

16.07pm

Four hour delays on SDR

Delays of four hours are reported on the SDR with traffic very slow and heavier than normal.

15.31pm

Junction 30 closed on M4

Junction 30 of the M4 is now closed to prevent further tailbacks.

The M4 eastbound at Junction 32 is scheduled to close to enable stationary cars on the M4 in the tunnel area to leave the motorway.

14.41pm

INFERNO: The aftermath of the blaze in the tunnel

14.20pm

Exclusive Argus eyewitness video

13.55pm

Contra flow could be set up in 'couple of hours'

FIREFIGHTERS have now moved to the Westbound side of the Brynglas tunnels. They say this should "hopefully enable a contra flow system on the eastbound side of the carriage way, through the tunnels, within the next couple of hours”.

13.09pm

No estimated re-opening time for the Brynglas tunnel

THERE is no estimated re-opening time for the Brynglas tunnel. The fire has damaged the cameras leaving only reports from the public and emergency services on congestion, but sensors suggest lengthy queues.

Diversion: Leaving the M4 J24 and using the A48 Southern Distributor Road to the South of the city, returning to the M4 at J28 (Tredegar Park).

12.21pm

Brynglas tunnels to stay closed for blaze probe

A Welsh Government spokesperson said: "Due to the severity of the fire, emergency services will require that the tunnels remain closed until a full and thorough investigation and structural examination is completed.

"While these delays will undoubtedly cause inconvenience to motorists, the safety of road users and emergency staff must remain paramount.

12.15pm

TUNNEL BLAZE: Smoke pours from the mouth of the west side of the Brynglas tunnel.

12.13pm

A48(M) closed

THE A48(M) is closed eastbound due to the lorry fire in the Brynglas Tunnel. Police directing traffic. A diversion is in place via the A48 through Castleton to Newport and J28 (Tredegar Park).

11.48am

A449 diversion

A449 CLOSURE: Drivers should head through Abergavenny and Pontypool to rejoin the M4 at J25 (Caerleon) Eastbound or J26 (Malpas) Westbound.

11.34am

David Jackson via e-mail Travel time eastbound is way more than 90 minutes. My wife and kids have been stuck on the M4 for nearly 2 hours – they’ve not even got onto the A48 yet!

11.21am

A449 Southbound closed between Raglan and Newport

A449 Southbound closed, delays between A40 (Raglan Interchange) and M4 J24 / A48 (Coldra).

11.01am

1 1/2 hour delays on SDR

DELAYS of one hour and 30 minutes are reported on the A48 SDR this morning as this is used for a diversion from the M4.

10.54am

Tunnel blaze put out

The lorry fire in the Brynglas tunnel is now out say South Wales Fire and Rescue. The M4 is to remain closed indefinitely.

10.12am

Tunnel blaze closes Heidenheim Drive

HEIDENHEM Drive has closed this morning due to smoke from a fire in the Brynglas tunnels.

9.57am

TUNNEL BLAZE: A reader sent this picture of smoke billowing from the mouth of the Brynglas tunnel

9.19am

Cazza81 via Twitter @southwalesargus that explains what the noise was i heard and i'm a few miles away at fourteen locks

M4 to be closed 'for hours' after lorry fire

THE M4 is expected to be closed for 'a matter of hours' today after a lorry caught fire in the westbound side of the Brynglas Tunnel.

The motorway is closed in both directions.

Delays and queueing traffic are reported between J28 and J25, with congestion stretching to J30 at Cardiff Gate and on the A48M to J29a at St Mellons.

A diversion is in place with drivers asked to leave the M4 at J28 and use the A48 Southern Distributor Road and return to the M4 at J24 (Coldra).

8.50am

M4 in Newport closed by lorry fire

FIREFIGHTERS are this morning dealing with a large lorry fire at the Brynglas tunnels in Newport.

Crews were called to the blaze in the westbound tunnel at 8.33am where a lorry carrying steel is currently ablaze.

Eye witnesses have reported hearing explosions and say huge plumes of smoke are coming from the tunnel.

Police have closed the eastbound carriageway of the M4 and traffic is being diverted through the city via the A48.