Video Loading

The M4 eastbound was closed on Tuesday morning (October 25) following a large fuel spillage in Chiswick.

The London-bound motorway has been closed between J3 A312 (Hayes) and J1 A4 (Chiswick Roundabout). The A4 is also completely closed at the Hogarth Roundabout for resurfacing works due to the spillage.

Transport for London is carrying out clean up and resurfacing work but the M4 is expected to remain closed until at least 2pm.

Commuters have been warned to allow plenty of extra time for their journey if heading to Heathrow Airport or into London as the incident may cause severe delays.

For the full story on the M4 closure and the impact on surrounding roads click here.

See below for a recap of the updates from the scene of the fuel spillage, along with all the travel advice you'll need for the morning.

Key Events

Time to close the blog

With the roads reopening now seems a good time to close down the blog.

The M4 has now reopened following the earlier closure after a fuel spill.

For the full recap of the events you can see our full story below:

Here is a view of the roads as they stand - traffic already appears to be easing now all lanes have reopened, just in time for the afternoon rush.

Have a safe journey!

(Image: Google Maps )
  • Share

At last!

The M4 has now reopened according to the Highways Agency but delays are still expected while traffic clears.

  • Share

Latest from TfL on Hogarth Lane

M4 eastbound still closed. No update on Highways England reopening the road

  • Share

Good news at last

Some good news as the A4 Hogarth Lane eastbound is reopened after resurfacing work

  • Share

Rolling road closure

Highways Agency will be implementing a rolling road closure along them M4 at J4 in order to reopen the road. No time given for the reopening.

  • Share

Picture emerges showing damage to rail

  • Share

Passenger 'should have been in Cardiff by now'

  • Share

Motorists vent frustration

  • Share

Resurfacing under way

  • Share
KEY EVENT

Clean up done

  • Share

Motorist takes three hours to travel one mile

  • Share

Chef James Martin describes M4 as 'road to hell'

  • Share

Ealing Police warning

The Ealing Police Twitter account put out this warning just before 11am. They are also warning of heavy traffic on the A40 and suggest drivers check their route before they travel.

  • Share

Closures until mid-afternoon

Latest update from Highways England. Eastbound delays to J4 and closures still expected until mid afternoon.

  • Share

Latest from TfL

Transport for London give the following update at 10.17am -

“A4 is closed westbound at Hogarth roundabout with traffic diverting via the A316 and the A205. Westbound A4 traffic is slow on approach to Hogarth Roundabout with delays back to Warwick Road causing delays on Hammersmith Gyratory and all approaching roads. A316 eastbound towards Hogarth roundabout is also slow with delays to Chalkers Corner. Traffic eastbound on A4 Great West Road is slow towards Chiswick roundabout. Traffic is slow southbound on the A312 on approach to the M4 J3 roundabout. Traffic is slow southbound on A406 towards Chiswick roundabout with delays back past Queens Parade. Traffic is also queuing eastbound between J4b and J3 of the M4. Expect long delays.”

  • Share

Photos from the scene of the spill

tfl

TfL have posted these photos on Twitter during the clean up and resurfacing work of the spill.

M4 still expected to be closed until this afternoon

  • Share

Details from the crash

Highways Agency have published details of the fuel spill on their website.

A lorry ruptured its fuel tank which caused a major spillage, damaging the carriageway.

The spill has closed the A4 at Hogarth roundabout and the M4 is still closed eastbound between J3 (Feltham/Harrow) and J1.

  • Share

CCTV highlights extent of traffic build-up

This was the scene on the A4 and M4 this morning as traffic came to a standstill on Talgarth Road and the A4 west of Sipson Road.

  • Share

State of the roads

Here’s a shot of the current traffic situation in west London following the spillage and M4 closure.

A big stretch of the M4 is closed to traffic causing major queues near Heathrow.
The South Circular also appears badly affected.

(Image: Google Maps)
  • Share

M4 closed until the afternoon

Reports are emerging that the M4 is likely to be closed until 2pm following the earlier fuel spill.

Transport for London says the cleanup and road resurfacing are underway.

  • Share

Heathrow Airport Expansion announcement expected today

Commuters stuck in traffic heading to Heathrow Airport this morning may be interested to hear that the decision on the airport’s expansion is expected today.

Transport Secretary Chris Grayling said in an interview with Andrew Marr: “Genuinely, it’s going to be a decision on Tuesday.

“It’s a difficult one. All three are well-crafted proposals, and any one of them could bring benefits to the United Kingdom.”

Read our full story here.

  • Share

Heavy congestion going into London

The M4 eastbound is closed due to a fuel spillage in Chiswick
The M4 eastbound is closed due to a fuel spillage in Chiswick (Image: Motorway Cameras)

There is still heavy congestion and traffic on the way to London this morning, with journeys to Heathrow Airport likely to be affected by the M4 closure.

  • Share
KEY EVENT

The M4 is now expected to remain closed until 2pm

The M4 is now expected to remain closed until 2pm. Commuters should plan their journeys accordingly and if possible avoid the area completely.

  • Share

Alternative routes into London

The M4 closure will affect commuters and travelers today, as congestion in the area is very heavy.

If you are planning on travelling to Heathrow Airport today you may want to find an alternative route or take the train. Drivers into Central London should follow the diversion via A312 and join the A40 for fewer delays.

  • Share

Bad news for commuters...

It looks like the M4 will be closed for quite a while.

Highways England said: “A lorry has ruptured its fuel tank resulting in a large spillage which has damaged the carriageway. Emergency resurfacing is being carried out. The current estimate for re-opening is after 14:00 today.

“Diversions are in operation, traffic wishing to head into Central London should follow the diversion route along the A312 northbound from M4 J3 and join the A40 eastbound at Target roundabout.”

  • Share