POLICE dealing with the aftermath of a car transporter fire on the M4 on Thursday have put a call out for drivers in the Junction 16 area to come forward after their own highways team was narrowly missed by a van driving up the sliproad the wrong way.

Officers from Royal Wootton Bassett and Cricklade Police who were at Junction 16 between 6.50pm and 7pm after closing the slip road have issued the appeal, urging any witnesses to come forward.

The police had been forced to close the slip road after some drivers began reversing up the westbound slip road in a bid to avoid the lengthy delays that stretched back to Swindon from the Chippenham junction.

A spokesman for the police said: "We had just lifted the slip road closure when a white long wheelbased van with highway maintenance on the rear doors travelled dangerously the wrong way up the slip road narrowly avoiding the highways team on the hard shoulder, the van then headed towards the oncoming traffic which was stationary at the traffic lights on the roundabout, the van turned in the road and travelled along the A3102 towards Royal Wootton Bassett. A number of drivers were heard using their horns at the time, unfortunately due to the officers location and commitment at the time he couldn't follow the van.

"If you can help identify the vehicle involved please contact us on the non emergency 101 number and quote our reference 20170223-0360 or E-mail 6117@wiltshire.pnn.police.uk."