A crime crackdown on the M4 in Wiltshire has seen three people arrested and the seizure of one and half tonnes of illegal tobacco. More than 100 fixed penalty notices were issued in the joint operation with tax officials. Two van loads of contraband alcohol were also impounded.
There has been an accident on the M4 in south Gloucestershire between junction 18 (the A46 Bath / Tormarton) and junction 19 (M32 Bristol). There are no reported delays.
Avon and Somerset Police say one person has died in a multi-car pile-up on the M4 near Bristol.
The accident happened during the morning rush hour. All three lanes of the motorway are currently closed between junctions 21 and 20.
ITV weather presenter James Wright was travelling eastbound on the M4 near Bristol tonight when he saw a lorry on the hard shoulder explode. He came to a halt near the emergency crews and saw them trying to extinguish the fire but the flames just grew higher.
He took this video on his mobile phone.
He says the lorry was carrying aluminium aircraft parts.
The fire is out but the highways agency is dealing with debris on the carriageway. The M4 is closed eastbound between the Second Severn Crossing and the Almondsbury Interchange. The M48 is also closed from junction 1 to junction 21 of the M4.
There's a warning of fog affecting the M4 in Wiltshire. Visibility is reduced between J16 (Swindon West) and J17 (Chippenham)
The westbound carriageway is blocked between J15 (Swindon East) and J16 (Swindon West) due to a multi-vehicle accident. All emergency services are at the the scene
Fifteen million motorists are expected to hit the roads roads this Easter Bank holiday weekend with the AA issuing a warning that the worst traffic jams will be for drivers travelling to the south west.
Roadworks have been removed from parts of the M5 to help the Easter getaway - but major work on the M4 will continue, with queues already building around Bristol, especially going towards junction 19.