If you were looking for a relaxing Sunday cruise on the M4 today, you’d have been left disappointed (maybe downright angry) being stuck in queues of over 30 minutes.

Due to “essential expansion joint repair work” the M4 eastbound from J27 Malpas, the motorway became a car park for nearly the whole day, February 11.

Queues began in the morning and went right through to Sunday evening.

It could have been worse though, with the works originally planned for Saturday, February 10 – the day Wales travelled to Twickenham to play England in the Six Nations.

South Wales Argus: Joint repair work on J27 of the M4 ongoing until Monday morningJoint repair work on J27 of the M4 ongoing until Monday morning (Image: Traffic Wales)

However, those planned works were suddenly cancelled and put back to Sunday.

South Wales Argus: There was traffic bedlam on the motorway round Newport. High Cross East (Eastbound)There was traffic bedlam on the motorway round Newport. High Cross East (Eastbound) (Image: Traffic Wales)

The work is part of a big series of closures for both the eastbound and westbound carriageways at junction 26 that will be taking place over the next three weekends, with further overnight closures required later in the month.

South Wales Argus: Work at Junction 27 was set to go on all day into the nightWork at Junction 27 was set to go on all day into the night (Image: Traffic Wales)

South Wales Argus: The work at Junction 27 is set to be finished on Monday, Feb 12, 6amThe work at Junction 27 is set to be finished on Monday, Feb 12, 6am (Image: Traffic Wales)

South Wales Argus: The M4 was a car park for the day round Newport...The M4 was a car park for the day round Newport... (Image: Traffic Wales)

Drivers are advised to follow the diversion provided by coming off the M4 at junction 26, take the Malpas Interchange, and re-join at junction 25 for Caerleon, bypassing the Brynglas Tunnels.