bbc.co.uk/news/uk-wales-sout … s-14288312
Been sat in this going eastbound for over 3 hours and still havent even got to j28!!!
Ouch! I would have been over there today but I have a few days off! Result!
More pics & video on the South Wales Argus website.
On the video you can hear the tyres exploding.
Local talk is this tunnel will be shut for a while, but will set up a contraflow through the other tunnel.
FM
At least the steel coil survived.
Cosmic:
At least the steel coil survived.
They dont usualy burn too well…
Now I don’t know about you but unless the flames were leaping out the dash and burning my face or something exploded the last thing I’d do is stop in what is a very short tunnel. It’s not miles long, surely he could have got it out?
Having watched the video, I tend to wonder how the fire service dealt with that.
They must have had to have intel on the trucks cargo before commiting crews, or they could have ended up with a real tragedy.
Finally got through all this after being stuck in traffic for the best part of 6 and a half hours. Im sure the driver of the wagon that caused all of it is very popular, only had to carry on an extra 50 metres and he would of been out of the tunnel and on the hard shoulder.
Ah well, I suppose being paid to sit in it and have a bit of a perv helps!
switchlogic:
Now I don’t know about you but unless the flames were leaping out the dash and burning my face or something exploded the last thing I’d do is stop in what is a very short tunnel. It’s not miles long, surely he could have got it out?
I did wonder that too. But he may have lost all power if something blew up.
Here is another question. Could one of the portals not have remained open?
From what I heard ( although may not be true ) he did have bit of an accident in the 
tunnel so may not have been able to go that extra 50 meters or so
This evening welsh news
Westbound carriageway still closed, contaflow now in operation on the Eastbound carriageway.
The westbound carriageway has extensive damage to the lighting, cameras, ventilation and tarmac.
Engineers to examine the tunnel structure.
The westbound tunnel is expected to be closed for several days.
So if you coming this way, pack your sarnies & flask.
Stay safe out there, FM
This is going to make my journey to get to work in Magor just terrific. Expect delays for weeks rather than days. Ah well think myself lucky I am on two days off.
Anyone else use the contraflow today? Much congestion? I came back through the contraflow at 6.30am and only had to que 5 mins, but I did start work an hour earlier to try to avoid rush hour in that area. Is the congestion much worse later in the day, ie 7-8am? If not I will take an extra hour in bed.
Firstly and most importantly, the driver of the truck is safe, well and unharmed. Shaken, but uninjured.
Secondly, Thank you to Mr Ash Hall, who stopped his car to bring the driver out of the tunnel to safety.
Switchlogic, and Andi_Cardiff… Give the driver some credit… If he could have got the vehicle out of the tunnel, he would have done so, He is an experienced driver, not a complete idiot. 
Angie…There wasn’t an accident in the tunnel. There was no other vehicle involved. 
The truck blew a tyre on the o/s midlift, taking the airbag with it. By the time the driver got out of the cab the flames were already visible… He did try to drop the trailer, but couldn’t get to pull the pin as a result of the flames, He also couldn’t move the truck obviously, as it had lost all the air.
From the time the first tyre blew, until the entire rig was engulfed in flames was less than 2 minutes 
The Fire Crews enter the empty bore of the tunnel and use the fire doors in the centre wall to access the fire. They did receive information as to the cargo the truck was carrying, by asking the driver when he originally dialled 999, and also again when they arrived on scene.
I brought our driver home following this incident yesterday, and yes we also sat in massive queues of traffic.
This morning I went through the contraflow, having queued for less than a mile. I know that tomorrow, I may need to leave a little earlier to compensate…But hey, My Mate is OK
Squiddy:
Anyone else use the contraflow today? Much congestion? I came back through the contraflow at 6.30am and only had to que 5 mins, but I did start work an hour earlier to try to avoid rush hour in that area. Is the congestion much worse later in the day, ie 7-8am? If not I will take an extra hour in bed.
Squiddy, The Eastbound contraflow was a couple of miles but moving, at 0730 today. Hope this helps.
Kate:
Firstly and most importantly, the driver of the truck is safe, well and unharmed. Shaken, but uninjured.
Secondly, Thank you to Mr Ash Hall, who stopped his car to bring the driver out of the tunnel to safety.Switchlogic, and Andi_Cardiff… Give the driver some credit… If he could have got the vehicle out of the tunnel, he would have done so, He is an experienced driver, not a complete idiot.
Angie…There wasn’t an accident in the tunnel. There was no other vehicle involved.
The truck blew a tyre on the o/s midlift, taking the airbag with it. By the time the driver got out of the cab the flames were already visible… He did try to drop the trailer, but couldn’t get to pull the pin as a result of the flames, He also couldn’t move the truck obviously, as it had lost all the air.
From the time the first tyre blew, until the entire rig was engulfed in flames was less than 2 minutes
The Fire Crews enter the empty bore of the tunnel and use the fire doors in the centre wall to access the fire. They did receive information as to the cargo the truck was carrying, by asking the driver when he originally dialled 999, and also again when they arrived on scene.
I brought our driver home following this incident yesterday, and yes we also sat in massive queues of traffic.
This morning I went through the contraflow, having queued for less than a mile. I know that tomorrow, I may need to leave a little earlier to compensate…But hey, My Mate is OK
Well quite frankly I don’t think he tried hard enough. 
Oh Luke your so harsh. Wheres our next video ?
Ah well, I suppose being paid to sit in it and have a bit of a perv helps! me too!! 
3 1/2hrs, St. Mellons to Tredegar park