Traffic has been disrupted on the M4 motorway on Friday afternoon after a vehicle fire has forced the closure of multiple lanes on the westbound carriageway.
Emergency services were called to the scene between Junctions 8 and 10 in Bracknell Forest at around 12:40 pm after reports that a car had caught fire. Fire crews from the Royal Berkshire Fire and Rescue Service attended and used breathing apparatus and a hose reel to extinguish the blaze.
While emergency services dealt with the incident, three of the four westbound lanes were closed to traffic to ensure the safety of motorists and firefighters. The closures led to slow-moving traffic and delays in the area.
Crews were at the scene for approximately 40 minutes before the fire was brought under control. National Highways and local police worked to manage traffic around the scene and reopen lanes as soon as it was safe to do so.
Drivers are advised to expect delays and allow extra time for their journeys while the clean-up continued. The incident highlights how quickly conditions on busy motorways like the M4 can change, particularly at peak travel times.
National Highways said: “Lane 1 (of 4) is closed on the #M4 westbound between J8 #Maidenhead and J10 #Reading due to a vehicle fire. Recovery is now taking place. Delays of 30 minutes on approach.”
