M4 Traffic: Berkshire Motorway Reopens After Chaotic Two Nights
The M4 motorway in Berkshire, just outside Reading, has finally reopened this morning after two nights of chaos and massive traffic disruption. The motorway was closed in both directions between Junction 10 (Wokingham) and Junction 11 (Reading) last night (February 18) due to a falling tree damaging a nearby electricity tower.
As a precaution, residents living closest to the pylon in Eden Way, Hatch Farm Way, and Russell Way were evacuated from their homes by the electricity provider. The M4 remained closed overnight to allow for emergency works.
This overnight closure marked the second day of chaos for this section of the major motorway. It was also closed intermittently on Tuesday, February 17, for emergency repairs linked to a high-speed police chase crash. The M4 was then closed in both directions between J10 and J11 late on Tuesday evening as crews scrambled to fix the electricity pylon.
According to regular updates shared by National Highways, the stretch of the motorway remained closed through Wednesday, February 18, and only re-opened this morning (February 19).
Workers from Scottish and Southern Electricity Networks (SSEN), the provider who own the pylon, told families living nearby on Wednesday afternoon that they should evacuate their homes while the pylon was made safe. SSEN confirmed people had been offered "alternative accommodation" in a statement.
A spokesperson for the provider said: "We are in close contact with nearby residents in the immediate vicinity and, purely as a precaution, have offered the option of alternative accommodation to approximately nine residents where access to homes is restricted. Our teams are carrying out immediate works to secure the damaged electricity tower. With high winds forecast across this evening, the complex works over the carriageway will take place when the winds have abated, allowing our staff to safely work at height. We will do everything possible to complete these highly complex repairs quickly and safely, allowing National Highways to re-open the motorway as soon as possible tomorrow. We recognize the inconvenience being experienced by road users, but the overriding priority must be the safety of motorists, our teams, and others in the vicinity."
Announcing the re-opening of the M4 in both directions between Junction 10 and Junction 11 this morning, National Highways thanked people for their patience and said repairs to the damaged electricity pylon have been completed.
