M4 closure RECAP: Traffic chaos as Berkshire motorway shut after police chase

A major motorway has been closed in both directions, causing delays to morning commuters. The M4 in Berkshire is closed in both directions between J10 (Wokingham) and J11 (Reading) for emergency works after structural damage to a power line pylon near the motorway was found. Diversions are in place while Southern Electricity Networks "carry out the necessary repairs", Highways England said.

A spokesperson said: "Due to the extent of the damage the M4 is expected to remain closed in both directions throughout Wednesday." It comes after a police chase on the same stretch of road on Tuesday. A man in his 30s was arrested following a pursuit after a vehicle failed to stop, the Metropolitan Police said.

During the pursuit, the driver rammed a police car, causing it to swerve and lose a tyre, a spokesperson said. The road was closed for a number of hours due to the incident.

11:52Sam Truelove

Full Highways England statement

The M4 in Berkshire remains closed in both directions between J10 (A329M/Wokingham) and J11 (Reading) for emergency works by Scottish and Southern Electricity Networks (SSEN) after a nearby power line pylon was damaged by a falling tree. Safety is our top priority.

We have closed the road because of the potential risk to the structure in high winds, and the impact to road users on the M4 if the situation were to deteriorate. We are working closely with SSEN Distribution, who are securing the damaged pylon and carrying out complex repairs. We do not have a specific timeline for when the road will reopen, but we expect it to remain closed for a considerable period while repairs continue.

We thank drivers for their patience and urge those travelling in the area to plan their journeys carefully, allow extra time where possible and follow our signed diversion routes.

11:42KEY EVENT

'No timeline for road to reopen'

National Highways have said the M4 remains closed in both directions between J10 (Wokingham) and J11 (Reading). It's expected the road will "remain closed for a considerable period".

08:18Sam Truelove

Closure expected for a while

The M4 could be closed for a "substantial period of time".

REMINDER#M4 both directions between J10 (#A329M, #Wokingham) and J11 (#Reading), #Berkshire [1][2][3][4][5] ROAD CLOSED

For essential @ssencommunity [6] works to a pylon near the motorway. Closure expected to be in place for a substantial period of time. Diversion info: https://t.co/VzsQJAxvg5 pic.twitter.com/vRAofaDzAl [7][8]

-- National Highways: East (@HighwaysEAST) February 18, 2026 [9]08:05Sam Truelove

Diversion routes for eastbound traffic

Traffic travelling eastbound is advised to follow the Hollow Circle symbol on road signs:

Leave M4 at J11 follow the B3270 Lower Earley Way.
Continue on the B3270 until it becomes the the A3290.
At the roundabout with the Wharfedale Road take the first exit.
At the next roundabout take the second exit to join the A329M.
Follow the A329(M) to rejoin the M4 at J10.

The M4 eastbound at J10 on Wednesday morning (Highways England)08:02Sam Truelove

Diversion routes for westbound traffic

Traffic travelling westbound is advised to follow the Hollow Square symbol on road signs:

Leave the M4 at J10 and join the A329(M) towards Reading.
Leave the A329(M) at the Winnersh Interchange
At the roundabout, take the third exit on to Wharfedale Road.
At the next roundabout, take the first exit onto the A3290.
Continue on the A3290 until it becomes the B3270 Lower Earley Way..
Follow the B3270 to re-join the M4 at J11.

07:58Sam Truelove

Road shut following 'police chase'

The closure on the M4 comes just a day after the same stretch of road was shut after a car crash following a police chase.

Police officers pursued a vehicle after it failed to stop at around 3:15am on Tuesday on the A4 at the junction with Earl's Court Road in London. The vehicle later crashed on the M4 westbound just before junction 10 (Reading). The motorway was closed westbound for several hours following the incident.

The Metropolitan Police said the driver rammed a police car during the chase and caused it to swerve and lose a tyre. A man in his 30s was arrested at the scene on suspicion of dangerous driving, attempted grievous bodily harm, driving on false plates, possession of a bladed weapon, failing to stop for police and driving through a red light.

A traffic camera shows the M4 at around 8am (Highways England)07:51Sam Truelove

Picture shows heavy traffic

As you would expect, traffic is building on the M4 around J10 and J11. The below image, taken from a motorway camera, shows heavy traffic on the M4 Eastbound at Junction 11 (Reading).

Queuing traffic on the M4 between J10 and J11 (Highways England)07:41Sam Truelove

Highways England statement

Highways England said: "The M4 in Berkshire is closed in both directions between J10 (A329M/ Wokingham) and J11 (Reading) for Scottish and Southern Electricity Networks (SSEN) emergency works following the discovery of structural damage to a power line pylon near the motorway.

"SEN will be attending to carry out the necessary repairs. Due to the extent of the damage the M4 is expected to remain closed in both directions throughout Wednesday 18th February."

07:38KEY EVENT

M4 closed in both directions

The M4 in Berkshire is closed in both directions between J10 (Wokingham) and J11 (Reading) for emergency works after structural damage to a power line pylon near the motorway was found. Diversions are in place while Southern Electricity Networks "carry out the necessary repairs", Highways England said.

A spokesperson said: "Due to the extent of the damage the M4 is expected to remain closed in both directions throughout Wednesday."

07:34KEY EVENT

M25 reopens within J25

National Highways East said specialist contractors have completed the emergency resurfacing works on the M25 clockwise within J25 (Waltham Cross).

The M25 has been reopened within J25.

Residual delays in the area are beginning to ease, the traffic authority said.

07:34Tannur Anders

M4 eastbound diversion route issued

National Highways said eastbound traffic on the M4 is being diverted via the hollow circle symbol on road signs:

Leave M4 at J11 follow the B3270 Lower Earley Way
Continue on the B3270 until it becomes the the A3290
At the roundabout with the Wharfedale Road take the first exit
At the next roundabout take the second exit to join the A329M
Follow the A329(M) to rejoin the M4 at J10

07:34Tannur Anders

M4 westbound diversion route issued

National Highways said westbound traffic on the M4 is being diverted via the hollow square symbol on road signs:

Leave the M4 at J10 and join the A329(M) towards Reading
Leave the A329(M) at the Winnersh Interchange
At the roundabout, take the third exit on to Wharfedale Road
At the next roundabout, take the first exit onto the A3290
Continue on the A3290 until it becomes the B3270 Lower Earley Way
Follow the B3270 to re-join the M4 at J11

07:34Tannur Anders

SSEN carrying out work related to M4 closure

National Highways said Scottish and Southern Electricity Networks (SSEN) will be attending to carry out the necessary repair related to the M4 closure.

07:34Tannur Anders

Information on the M4 closure

The following information is known about the M4 closure:

The M4 in Berkshire is closed in both directions on Wednesday, February 18 for emergency works
The closure is between J10 (Wokingham) and J11 (Reading)
The works come after the discovery of structural damage to a power line pylon near the motorway
National Highways said urgent repair is required as strong winds are forecast in the area
The M4 is expected to remain closed in both directions throughout the morning peak period due to the extent of the damage
There are expected to be long delays also on local roads in the area of the closure

07:34Tannur Anders

Information on the M25 closure

The following information is known about the M25 closure:

The M25 clockwise within J25 (Waltham Cross) is closed on Wednesday, February 18 due to an earlier incident
The incident involved a lorry that suffered a fuel leak
Specialist contractors are on scene to complete emergency resurfacing works
Traffic is being diverted via the exit and entry slip roads at this stage

References

^ #M4 (twitter.com)
^ #A329M (twitter.com)
^ #Wokingham (twitter.com)
^ #Reading (twitter.com)
^ #Berkshire (twitter.com)
^ @ssencommunity (twitter.com)
^ https://t.co/VzsQJAxvg5 (t.co)
^ pic.twitter.com/vRAofaDzAl (t.co)
^ February 18, 2026 (twitter.com)