Rush hour traffic delays in Sydney as multiple lanes of M4 motorway closed due to police deployment

A police operation has caused chaos for commuters in western Sydney as several lanes of the busy M4 motorway have been closed.

All lanes of the M4 westbound and eastbound at Merrylands are closed between Burnett Street and the Cumberland Highway.

Shortly before 5.30am, police were called to the motorway following reports of concerns for the welfare of residents and launched an operation.

Motorists have been asked to avoid the area and to expect delays on Friday morning.

“Avoid the area, use an alternative route and allow extra travel time,” Live Traffic Sydney said on X.

Westbound traffic must backtrack approximately 9km to Silverwater and motorists heading into town are backed up bumper to bumper for approximately 15km to Eastern Creek.

Drivers travelling west on the M4 can exit at Burnett Street and rejoin the M4 via the Great Western Highway and Cumberland Highway.

It is known that the operation was the result of a psychological incident.

All lanes of the Merrylands motorway westbound and eastbound are closed between Burnett Street and the Cumberland Highway (pictured shows traffic in built-up area)

According to the police, there is no ongoing threat to the public.

Daily Mail Australia has contacted New South Wales police about the incident.