Need to know
A ‘welfare concern’ has led to police stopping traffic on the M5 today, with delays for miles with temporary hold is in place in both directions
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- Earlier this afternoon police closed the M5 in both directions, which caused a huge queue of trapped traffic stretching for miles. The motorway is shut on both sides between J18 (M49) for Avonmouth and J19, near Portishead.
- Motorists have been warned to expect significant delays on all surrounding routes. No official alternative route has been listed yet by National Highways, but its incident page does confirm “a local diversion is currently in place prior to the closure”.
- Police confirmed they are dealing with a “welfare incident” on the motorway. The force have not provided further information, but some motorists have reported seeing someone on a bridge.
- Traffic-monitoring services reported that a temporary hold was put in place at 12.15pm, before the motorway was shut entirely. One person who had been travelling southbound reported being stationary near Avonmouth for around two hours and said several emergency service vehicles had passed.
- National Highways informed motorists of the full closure just after 12.45pm and said in an update at 2.11pm: “Traffic within the closure is being released from the rear southbound and preparations are being put in place to release northbound.
- A number of drivers appear to be diverting via Bristol city centre, with heavy congestion visible on the M32, the Portway and roads in South Bristol down to the A370 in North Somerset, which leads to J21 of the M5. Bristol City Council is lifting the pre-planned lane closure on Plimsoll Bridge in an attempt to ease traffic in the area.
- An Avon and Somerset Police spokesperson said: “The M5 is currently closed between J18 (M49) and J19 (Portishead) due to a welfare incident. We are grateful for your patience and understanding while emergency services respond to this matter.”
READ THE FULL STORY: M5 closure LIVE: ‘Police incident’ unfolds as major UK motorway shuts both ways
