Emergency repairs keep A4 lane closed after lorry overturns in early hours crash

A crash involving an overturned lorry has left a lane closed on a major road in Bristol while "emergency repairs" are carried out. The incident was reported at around 4am today (December 2) on the A4 in Avonmouth[1]. Emergency services rushed to the scene near the Costco store[2] and junction 18 of the M5 and set up a road closure.

A fuel and fluid leakage was reported after the lorry, which was carrying food products, flipped onto its side. A spokesperson for Avon Fire and Rescue[3] said: "We were called out at 4.01am to reports of a Heavy Goods Vehicle (HGV) on its side near the Costco. The HGV was carrying foods stuff and there was a possible fuel leakage reported.

"Nobody was trapped as a result of the incident. Fluid has spilled out onto the highway and we worked with police[6], the local council and the Environment Agency to clear this up. We left the scene at around 5.30am."

According to traffic monitoring website Inrix, one lane remains closed as of 12.15pm as "emergency repairs" are carried out. It adds there is heavy traffic in the area between the Portway roundabout and St Andrews Gate roundabout, with National Highways saying the lane closure is not expected to be lifted until some point between 4.15pm and 4.30pm. Inrix said: "Heavy traffic and one lane closed due to emergency repairs on A4 westbound from M5 (Portway roundabout) to A403 St Andrew's Road (St Andrews Gate Roundabout).

Road was closed for around one hour just before 7am following an overturned lorry." Avon and Somerset Police confirmed officers had been called to the scene earlier this morning. A spokesperson said: "Patrolling officers came across it at about 4.20am with the fire service already in attendance.

"There's nothing on the log to suggest ambulance attended, we supported fire and the vehicle recovery firm by closing roads, with the help of Bristol Council Highways.

The lorry was recovered just before 7.30am and officers stood down leaving the remaining closure in the hands of highways."

References

1. ^ Avonmouth (www.bristolpost.co.uk)
2. ^ Emergency services rushed to the scene near the Costco store (www.bristolpost.co.uk)
3. ^ Avon Fire and Rescue (www.bristolpost.co.uk)
4. ^ People Bristol police need your help to track down (www.bristolpost.co.uk)
5. ^ Council books up hotel for evacuated Barton House residents for two months (www.bristolpost.co.uk)
6. ^ police (www.bristolpost.co.uk)