There have been long delays on the M4 near Bristol this afternoon (January 17) due to icicles above the carriageway. According to National Highways, contractors were called out with lane closures put in place in both directions at junction 20.
Traffic monitoring site Inrix reported delays of around 45 minutes on the westbound carriageway at one point, although these have dropped down to 25 minutes. It reports that lanes two, three and four remain closed with heavy traffic building.
The tailbacks are running past junction 19 for the M32. This is also affecting traffic coming from Hambrook.
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On the southbound side, there were delays of around 35 minutes. Traffic was queuing due to the closure of lanes two and three, although it is reported to be easing.
There was also heavy congestion near junction 21 for the M48 interchange. National Highways warned motorists to expect delays on both routes, urging them to leave extra time for journeys.
A recent tweet said: "Three (of four) lanes are closed on the #M4 westbound between J19-J20 and two (of four) lanes are closed eastbound between J20-J19 due to icicles above the carriageway.
"Contractors are in attendance. Delays of 30 minutes above normal travel times, please allow extra time for your journey."
On the westbound carriageway, Inrix says: "Queueing traffic due to earlier incident on M4 Westbound at J20 M5 J15 (Almondsbury Interchange). Congestion to just past J19 (M32/Bristol), also affecting traffic coming from M32 J1 (Hambrook).
"Travel time is 25 minutes. All lanes have been re-opened. Camera shows lanes two, three and four (of four) were closed."
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