M4 westbound shut for most of the day near Chippenham after lorry crash causes massive diesel spill

From the Newshound archive · first published 1 October 2026.

A lorry struck the central reservation barrier on the M4 near Chippenham just after 2am, scattering diesel across the road and leaving hundreds of drivers stranded for as long as four hours. National Highways says the westbound section between junctions 16 and 17 is unlikely to open again before 6pm; 146 metres of carriageway must be completely resurfaced and 300 metres of central reservation barrier needs extensive repair. Drivers trapped within the closure have since been turned around and let through, though diversions are still in operation.

A single eastbound lane is also closed because of where the stricken HGV came to rest.

Video circulating online showed motorists stepping out of their cars and congregating along the central reservation at sunrise.

National Highways cautioned that the closure will extend into this evening's rush hour.