Full closure on A34 southbound at Newbury as police attend serious crash

UPDATE, 4.30pm: National Highways is reporting that the A34 has now reopened.

The road had been closed since this morning after a serious crash. Traffic is still slow through the stretch of road this evening.

UPDATE, 3.45pm: Traffic is continuing to build up around Newbury town centre as motorists are diverted off the A34.

Both lanes of the southbound carriageway remain closed from just after the M4 turning down to the A4.

National Highways now says it does not expect the road to be reopened until 7.30pm.

UPDATE, 2.45pm: Traffic is now queuing back to Beedon, southbound, on the A34.

Both lanes remained closed at this time, with a police investigation being undertaken.

Newburytoday has asked Thames Valley Police for more information but it said it does not comment on road traffic incidents.

National Highways said it doesn't expect the road to be reopened until around 7.30pm this evening.

1.15pm: Both lanes of the A34 southbound at Newbury are closed due to a serious crash.

National Highways said there is congestion between the junctions with the A339 and the A4.

Emergency services have been in attendance since the crash at around 11.35am this morning.

It is likely to remain closed throughout the afternoon and into the evening to allow Thames Valley Police to conduct collision investigation works.

There is also traffic southbound between the junctions with the M4 and the A4.

Northbound, traffic has just been released however there are residual delays of 60 minutes on the approach.

The AA has since reported 'severe' delays on the A339 northbound in Newbury.

There are currently delays of up to 14 minutes and building between A339 and A4 London Road at the Robin Hood roundabout.

The average speed is 10mph.

This is also causing heavy traffic on Andover Road and Bartholomew Street as motorists try to avoid the congestion.

A diversion is in place, motorists are advised to follow the solid triangle diversion symbol on road signs and from the A34 leave at the A339 Donnington Link Interchange, continue on the A339 for approximately 2 miles into Newbury, continue through Newbury on the A339 to the B4640 roundabout, take the 2nd exit and join the B4640, continue on the B4640 for approximately 2 miles to the A34 Tot Hill Interchange and then at the roundabout, take the 2nd exit to re-join the A34 southbound.

Newburytoday has asked Thames Valley Police for more information but it said it does not comment on road traffic incidents.