M4 traffic near Bristol as cows close the motorway

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Part of the M4 between Bristol and Swindon has been closed due to cows on the road this evening (Tuesday 6 June). Traffic stopped between J16 (Swindon West) and J17 (Chippenham) this evening, but reopened shortly after 7pm after the animals were moved.

It followed long traffic queues along Bristol’s M4 earlier this evening, ahead of Coldplay’s big concert. The band fronted by Chris Martin will be playing tonight at the Cardiff Principality Stadium.

Fans are heading to the Welsh capital for the gig – which will be followed by a second band tomorrow – and as a result, some of the main roads into Cardiff are increasingly crowded. This included the M4 heading towards Prince of Wales Bridge.

According to traffic monitoring website Inrix, there were “extended delays” on the M4 to Wales around the Almondsbury junction, with roadworks in the area also contributing to queues. An update from the site around 5.50pm said queues in Bristol were thinning but there were delays elsewhere heading towards Cardiff.

Follow the updates in the live blog below.

Available updates

19:10 Shannon Brown

The cows were moved

19:07 Shannon Brown

All lanes reopened after the cows were removed

Long delays due to previous cows en route on the M4 in both directions from J16 A3102 Swindon Road (Swindon West) to J17 A350 (Chippenham). All lanes have reopened. Cameras show that the road reopened at around 19:00.

19:05 Shannon Brown

More M4 mayhem as police try to remove cows from the road

Highways and Wiltshire Police are in the process of attempting to remove a loose herd of cows from the M4 near Chippingham. Inrix reports: “The M4 is closed in both directions, traffic is steady due to cows on the road from J16 A3102 Swindon Road (Swindon West) to J17 A350 (Chippenham). Traffic has been regulated since 18:10 for a herd of cows on the west over Roadside, the road is now closed around 18:45.”

18:49 Shannon Brown

Congestion at the Prince of Wales Bridge

Very slow traffic due to the Coldplay concert in Cardiff on the A4042 Westbound on the M4 J25A (Newport/Cwmbran). Congestion at the Prince of Wales Bridge.

17:49 George Thorpe

M4 traffic relief in Bristol

An update from road monitoring website Inrix says: “Traffic relief on the M4 Westbound around J20 M5 J15 (Almondsbury Interchange).”

17:43 George Thorpe

Coldplay party time

According to BristolLive’s sister title Wales Online, proceedings will begin at Principality Stadium at 5.45pm with support activity Hana Lili opening in the evening.

At 6.45pm Chvrches will perform on stage.

Coldplay is expected to start their set at 8 p.m.

17:41 George Thorpe

Inrix’s latest post on M4 traffic

The road watch website says: “Traffic queuing due to Coldplay playing at the Principality Stadium on the M4 Westbound around J20 M5 J15 (Almondsbury Interchange).

Congestion on the J19 (M32/Bristol) and traffic coming from the M32 J1 (Hambrook)

In the road works area.

17:33 George Thorpe

“Extreme delays” in Wales before the ceremony

A post on traffic monitoring website Inrix says: “Severe delays due to Coldplay concert in Cardiff on A4042 Westbound on M4 J25A (Newport/Cwmbran).

Congestion on the Prince of Wales Bridge.

17:23 George Thorpe

Chris Martin catches the train to the Coldplay gig

The person who won’t be stuck in traffic lines heading to Cardiff will be Coldplay lead singer Chris Martin.

The musician is seen taking the train to Cardiff ahead of the gig tonight and tomorrow.

Read more here.

Chris Martin arrives at Cardiff Central

17:20 George Thorpe

Latest traffic camera pictures

Traffic cam images from the M4 show queues forming at various points heading into Wales.

Traffic on the M4 motorway in Bristol (Photo: Motorways England)

Traffic cam image of the M4 at Almondsbury Junction (Photo: Motorways England)

M4 traffic near the Severn crossing (Photo: Highways England)

17:08 George Thorpe

The M4 truck tire has been changed

An update from traffic monitoring website Inrix says: “All lanes have been cleared and traffic has returned to normal, previously idling on the M4 westbound between J14 A338 (Hungerford) and J15 A346 Marlborough Road (Swindon East).

“Note the change of direction. The first lane (of the three) is closed, previously reported on the other side, and cameras confirm correct location.”

17:07 George Thorpe

Long lines in the M4 Brynglas tunnels

There are also traffic problems on the M4 in Wales ahead of the Coldplay concert.

Traffic monitoring website Inrix says: “Delays in the M4 Brynglas Tunnels to the west before J26 A4051 (Malpas Road).

Travel time 40 minutes.

17:06 George Thorpe

Delays also occurred elsewhere on the M4

According to a traffic monitoring website, a lane on the Welsh-bound motorway from the M4 near the Berkshire-Wiltshire border has been closed so a lorry can change its tyre.

A post on the site reads: “Closed lane and slow traffic due to a truck tire change on the M4 Westbound between J14 A338 (Hungerford) and J15 A346 Marlborough Road (Swindon East).

“Note the change of direction. The first lane (of the three) is closed, previously reported on the other side, and cameras confirm correct location.”

16:59 George Thorpe

Inrix – Coldplay gig is causing traffic problems

A post on the traffic monitoring website reads: “Long delays and queuing traffic due to Coldplay playing at the Principality Stadium on the M4 Westbound around J20 M5 J15 (Almondsbury Interchange).

Congestion on the J19 (M32/Bristol) and traffic coming from the M32 J2 (Eastville).

In the works area.

Read on

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