THE M4 motorway has finally reopened after an accident in the early hours of this morning (Sunday, September 16) resulted in a milk tanker overturning in the early hours of this morning.
All lanes were closed in the westbound direction of the motorway between junction 17 (Chippenham) and junction 18 (Dodington, A46) while an extensive clean up operation took place over 14 hours today.
Although the accident occured at just after 6.30am crews had to drain the vehicle before it could be removed from the carriageway.
Additionally, a large diesel spillage from the vehicle and damaged crash barriers, meant that emergency services and work crews have been working all day to mend and make the carriageway safe for tomorrow's commuters.
Police, ambulance services and Highways England traffic officers were on the scene soon after the accident took place but the tanker driver is believed to have escaped with minor injuries.
Vehicles stuck within the closure were released via a single lane past the scene of the incident at around 9am this morning.
Highways England operatives spent two hours recovering the 40 tonne vehicle.
Resurfacing and barrier repairs have now been completed. 120 tonnes of asphalt has been used to resurface around 900 square metres of motorway.
The road has reopened.
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