M4, Newport

[hornetrider]

Chaps, here is as good as anywhere. I've just moved to Pontyclun and commute to Bristol. I know the tunnels are a problem (for the life of me I can't understand why as it seems eastbound they are relatively fine).

Anyhoo I came through westbound at around 3.30pm and there was already stationary traffic on the tunnel approach ffs. Is it like this every day? I have already mentally committed to taking my bike to work (or the train) but for it to be at a standstill at that time of day was a bit of an eye opener.

Also - I've noticed that it's always 50 westbound, but never 50 eastbound. Why is this - does my swede in.

[covmutley]

I too have no idea why west bound is always 50. I think it has been that ever since the lorry fire in the tunnel a couple of years ago.

Yes im afraid the tunnels are a bit of a nightmare. Looking forward to my Firady night commute home this evening! If traffic is really bad coming off at the Coldra (j24) and going through newport and back on at j28 saves time and avoids you itting in jams at least.

If its f**ing bad I come off at 23a, use the steel works road then through Newport and back on at 28.

[Steff]

There was a fire in the tunnel a couple of years back so they decided in their infinite wisdom to place a 50 mph speed limit on the westbound tunnel. No idea why as it just seems to cause a permanent westbound tail back.

[hornetrider]

Steff said:

There was a fire in the tunnel a couple of years back so they decided in their infinite wisdom to place a 50 mph speed limit on the westbound tunnel. No idea why as it just seems to cause a permanent westbound tail back.

Yeah I think it's a bit self-fulfilling tbh. When people see the 50 signs it creates braking and concertina'd traffic which quickly becomes standstill traffic. It's an abortion.

[jmorgan]

To be fair there have been a number of serious closures over the last few (10 or so?) years. That exit after the tunnel, westbound, is a pain. I see it as a result of drivers unable to moderate themselves and the only big road in and out of S Wales as well, you can see why they are twitchy.

[hornetrider]

Jesus Christ.

Anyone stuck in it this morning? I filtered through about 15 miles of walking pace traffic this morning, from west of the Coryton exit all the way past the tunnels. Crazy. Is it like this all the time?

[matt1269]

There was an accident this morning!

[bazza white]

Going eastbound on Saturday and it was 50mph due to death to cameras were perminantly going on the westbound bridges.

I slowed then but may have been caught going east.