[M4 cameras show drivers are at a standstill with emergency services at the scene.]

LIVE EVENT ENDEDLast updated 14th August 2026

M4 traffic at standstill after crash near Cardiff

A lane has closed on the M4 after a crash during an already very busy Friday rush hour

Emergency services at the scene(Image: Traffic Wales)

Holly Morgan Senior Reporter

Updated 19:05, 14 Aug 2026

Two lanes on the M4 in Cardiff were closed after a crash on Friday as emergency services, including police, ambulance and fire, worked at the scene.

Traffic Wales urged drivers heading eastbound on the M4 at rush hour to expect delays at junction 29 and junction 30, Cardiff Gate.

Lanes two and three closed to all traffic and M4 cameras saw drivers at a standstill.

The road fully reopened at around 6.30pm and traffic has since returned to normal.

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Key Events

Long delays after crash

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14th Aug18:43 BST

Traffic easing

The lanes have reopened and traffic is easing on the M4 in Cardiff.

Holly Morgan

14th Aug18:15 BST

Slow traffic remains

The accident has now been cleared but there is still very slow traffic in the area. Two lanes are now closed to allow for emergency services to access the incident.

Traffic monitoring system Inrix says: "Slow traffic due to earlier accident on M4 Eastbound from J30 A4232 Pentwyn Link Road (Cardiff Gate) to J29 A48(M)."

Holly Morgan

14th Aug18:02 BST

Traffic is getting worse

Traffic monitoring systems are showing long tailbacks on the M4 after the crash earlier this evening.

This is the current traffic at Cardiff Gate.

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Holly Morgan

14th Aug17:42 BST

Disruption along the M4

Traffic monitoring system Inrix is reporting the closure and other delays this Friday evening.

They are also highlighting:

Usual delays on M4 Westbound at J43 A465 Llandarcy. Travel time is ten minutes.
M4 Brynglas Tunnels westbound delays before J26 A4051 Malpas Road. Travel time is ten minutes.

Holly Morgan

14th Aug17:34 BST

M5 holiday traffic underway

Once drivers pass the incident in Cardiff, they may be faced with more evere traffic elsewhere on the roads network in the west of England.

Drivers face long delays on the M5 in Somerset as Friday getaway traffic gets underway.

Photos taken show queues forming northbound at Bridgwater, with further delays southbound from Bristol.

Google Maps shows patches of congestion along the motorway from Wellington to the Almondsbury Interchange.

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(Image: AA)

Holly Morgan

14th Aug17:29 BST

Traffic maps show delays at J29

AA traffic maps are showing that the worst traffic is at Junction 29, Castleton.

Drivers opting to use the A48 instead of the motorway are also faced with delays.

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(Image: AA)

Holly Morgan

14th Aug17:25 BST

Pictures from the scene

M4 traffic cameras are showing standstill traffic on the M4 between Junction 29 and Junction 30.

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Drivers are sat bumper to bumper after a crash shut lane three of the M4 eastbound - affecting drivers travelling from Cardiff towards Newport and Bristol.

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Holly Morgan

14th Aug17:23 BST

Traffic Wales says 'expect delays'

Traffic Wales has urged drivers to expect delays on the M4 eastbound at Junction 29 and Junction 30, Cardiff Gate.

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Holly Morgan

14th Aug17:23 BST

Long delays after crash

There are long delays on the M4 eastbound on Friday evening after a crash at Cardiff Gate.

Lane three is closed to all traffic and emergency services are working at the scene.

Holly Morgan

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