Villagers facing chaos when there's a M4 crash

WHEN the M4 is closed, thoughts immediately turn to the reason and to the people directly impacted by whatever event has taken place.

- Lois McCarthy reports

Thoughts then likely turn to the thousands of drivers caught up in the ensuing chaos, their journeys often severely impacted.

But there is another set of people affected when drivers have to leave the motorway and find alternative routes. And that impact is felt particularly acutely in one part of Wales where there is simply no alternative for motorists.

If there is an incident between junction 38 for Margam and 37 for Pyle, and the motorway shuts as it has done on a number of occasions this year then traffic must divert north, on to the A48. There just aren't any other obvious routes. Cars could cut down the B4283 Water Street instead, but will no doubt hit the same problems as everyone else.

Everything's a bit more complicated at the moment and has been over the summer due to ongoing major roadworks on the M4. Work is taking place between junctions 37 and 38 on essential bridge maintenance to five structures on the M4. It started in June and is set to continue until the end of November.

The contraflows have already been causing delays and seeing some drivers seek alternative routes on the A48 through Pyle. When there's an incident and lanes are already closed there is no alternative but to divert all traffic off the M4.

That happened on September 15 when high winds caused the closure of the J37-J38 section for several hours. It happened again on September 25 this time due to a lorry crash. There were further incidents on October 4, 15 and 25.

To make matters worse, the September incidents coincided with roadworks in Pyle itself.

Independent councillor Rhys Watkins, who represents the area, said the resulting diversions sent heavy traffic through the A48 just as the utility works and temporary lights were already in place at Pyle Cross.