Bristol traffic: Lorry accident on M4 causing delays both ways

•A lorry jackknifed on the M4 shortly after 11am this morning.

•At 4.30pm today some lanes had re-opened but motorists were being advised to avoid the M4.

A lorry accident on the M4 is affecting traffic in both directions. (11.45am)

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There is currently stationary traffic around junction 20 (M5 Almondsbury interchange) and junction 21 (M48).

It is understood that the lorry is across the central reservation.

There is also currently (11.45am) an overturned vehicle on the M4 Eastbound at junction 19 on the M32 slip road.

UPDATE 11.50am:

Police have issued the following statement:

"Motorists are being advised to be patient and avoid the motorway network on the M4 eastbound between junctions 19 and 20.

"It follows a road traffic collision involving an articulated lorry on the carriageway which has overturned. There are no reported injuries however the incident has caused major traffic disruption and this is likely to continue throughout the day.

"The matter has been handed to highways who are currently at the scene and dealing.

"Any motorists who need to make trips are advised to avoid the area and take an alternative route."

UPDATE 12.10PM

The M4 is blocked Eastbound junctions 21-20 and on the Westbound carriageway only the hard shoulder is open.

UPDATE 4.30PM

M4 is now open Westbound between J20-21 but on the Eastbound carriageway traffic is only on the hard shoulder.

It is understood that when the lorry jackknifed it shed a load of grain over the motorway. No one is believed to have been injured.

There are reports that the traffic chaos is also affecting other areas of Bristol.