M4 motorway shut for traffic, leaves passengers 'stranded' at Heathrow airport

The M4 motorway has been closed to traffic with the emergency services at a tunnel to Heathrow Airport. Motorists have been warned to expect disruption and longer journey times.

Gas Leak

• A gas leak occurred inside an M4 tunnel near Heathrow Airport. Emergency services have rushed to the site, and traffic at Junction 4 is completely halted. Vehicles are unable to exit the Heathrow airport's car park.
• An official of the National Highways has said that the Greater London M4 has closed between J4 and J4A.
• Heathrow Airport crews and the Metropolitan Police were present.
• Road users going to Heathrow Airport are advised to continue to M25 J13.
• People can expect disruption and allow for a longer journey time.

Inrix Information

• Traffic data company Inrix said:
• Long queues and partially blocked traffic in both directions on the M4 Heathrow Spur Road.
• Congestion around Heathrow, including The Parkway.
• The outbound tunnel is closed.
• Contraflow is in place via the inbound tunnel in both directions.
• Bus routes 105, 111, 285, 278, A10, X26, X140, and U3 affected by diversions
• Around 4 pm, Inrix announced that the spur road of the Spur Road M4 Heathrow in both directions had been reopened between the main M4 carriageway at J4 and the airport.

FAQs

What are the details of the gas leak causing the problems?
A spokesperson for the London Fire Brigade stated that the firefighters responded to a methane alarm in a tunnel on the Heathrow Airport Tunnel Road East.

When was the gas leak alarm sounded?
The Fire Brigade was called in at 1:19 pm.