Traffic on the M5 southbound is at a complete standstill following a crash in Somerset this afternoon, Thursday, October 3. Southbound traffic between at junction 21 is stationary following a crash near Weston-super-Mare, causing long tailbacks.
Roads and traffic monitoring site Inrix first reported the crash at 1.49pm. It said: "All traffic being temporarily held and stationary traffic due to accident on M5 Southbound from J21 A370 (Weston-super-mare) to Strowland Lane (Sedgemoor Services).
"Camera shows no traffic coming through around 13:45."
It is not currently known how many vehicles are involved or if anyone has sustained any injuries. Emergency services have been contacted for further information.
This is a live blog. Updates will appear below.
Inrix latest tonight
The latest update from Inrix says: "M5 Southbound closed due to emergency resurfacing and barrier repairs, oil spillage and fuel spillage from J21 A370 (Weston-super-mare) to J22 (Burnham-on-sea).
"Diversion - Southbound, leave at J21 (Weston-Super-Mare) along the A370 towards Weston supe Mare."
M5 latest
M5 - SOMERSET - SOUTHBOUND
M5 Southbound closed, severe delays due to emergency resurfacing and barrier repairs, oil spillage and fuel spillage from J21 A370 (Weston-super-mare) to J22 (Burnham-on-sea).
Diversion - Southbound, leave at J21 (Weston-Super-Mare) along the A370 towards Weston supe Mare.
'Total chaos' as drivers stuck in nightmare traffic
There is traffic chaos around North Somerset and Bristol after two crashes on the M5. A driver said there is "total chaos" around Backwell, Nailsea and Portishead.
For the full story, click here.
'Severe delays' remain on M5 in Somerset
The latest log from Inrix says: "M5 Southbound closed, severe delays due to emergency resurfacing and barrier repairs, oil spillage and fuel spillage from J21 A370 (Weston-super-mare) to J22 (Burnham-on-sea).
"Diversion - Southbound, leave at J21 (Weston-Super-Mare) along the A370 towards Weston supe Mare."
M5 traffic stopped by crash near Bristol
There is more disruption on the M5 following a crash near Bristol this evening. All vehicles have been stopped heading southbound.
For all of the latest updates on the crash, follow our live blog here.
M5 closed both ways by separate police incident
A stretch of the M5 is closed both ways by a police incident on the Somerset and Devon border this evening.
For all of the latest updates, follow our live blog here.
M5 traffic stopped by police incident in Devon
A new log from Inrix reports: "All traffic being temporarily held and stationary traffic due to police incident on M5 in both directions from J27 A361 (Tiverton) to J26 A38 (Wellington). Traffic held around 18:35."
'Severe delays' on M5 as spillage cleaned
The latest log from Inrix says: "M5 Southbound closed, severe delays due to recovery work and spillage from J21 A370 (Weston-super-mare) to J22 (Burnham-on-sea). Congestion to before J20 (Clevedon), heavy southbound along the diversion route at the A38 Dunball Roundabout, solid approaching Winscombe, Langford, Barrow Gurney and Congresbury as traffic heads away.
"Investigations have been completed, spillage needs to be cleaned up before the road is reopened. Diversion - Southbound, leave at J21 (Weston-Super-Mare) along the A370 towards Weston supe Mare."
Recovery and spillage clean up
M5 - SOMERSET - SOUTHBOUND
M5 Southbound closed, severe delays due to recovery work and spillage from J21 A370 ( Weston-super-mare ) to J22 ( Burnham-on-sea ).
Congestion to before J20 ( Clevedon ), heavy in both directions along the A38 from Dunball Roundabout and A370 Weston Supermare, solid approaching Winscombe, Langford, Barrow Gurney and Congresbury as traffic heads away.
Investigations have been completed, spillage needs to be cleaned up before the road is reopened.
90 minute delays
National Highways has said there are severe delays on the M5.
There are severe delays of up to 90 minutes on the approach to the southbound closure.
The northbound carriageway has been REOPENED with residual delays of up to 60 minutes through the area.
'Severe' delays
The #M5 in #Somerset remains CLOSED southbound, J21 (Weston-Super-Mare) -J22 (Burnham-on-Sea) due to an earlier serious collision@ASPolice remain on scene with investigation work ongoing
— National Highways: South-West (@HighwaysSWEST) October 3, 2024
There are severe delays of up to 90 minutes on the approach. https://t.co/rPoUron8rx pic.twitter.com/BHEhd1bn0U
'Considerable' delays
M5 latest - northbound has reopened, still considerable delays. https://t.co/KxEoBlIbQ3
— Travel Somerset (@TravelSomerset) October 3, 2024
M5 northbound open
M5 - SOMERSET - SOUTHBOUND
M5 Southbound closed, severe delays due to accident investigation work from J21 A370 ( Weston-super-mare ) to J22 ( Burnham-on-sea ).
Congestion to J20 ( Clevedon ), north coming from J23 (Bridgwater North), along the A38 from Dunball Roundabout towards A370 Weston Supermare, approaching Winscombe and Langford.
Northbound has reopened but southbound remains closed for investigations, trapped traffic is still being turned around.
Diversions in place
National Highways have put diversions in place.
Southbound traffic should follow the solid square diversion symbol:
Northbound traffic should follow the solid triangle symbol:
Biker involved in M5 crash
Avon and Somerset Police has confirmed a motorbike and a van were involved in the 'serious' M5 crash.
Police at the scene
Police are at the scene directing trapped traffic.
Delays from Clevedon to Highbridge
There are major delays on the M5 due to the 'serious' crash. Traffic has built from Clevedon to Highbridge.
Motorists stuck on the M5
Traffic is at a standstill on the M5. One motorist said:
M5 between Weston-super-Mare and Burnham south
M5 completely closed
National Highways has warned the M5 is completely closed. It said:
The #M5 in #Somerset is now CLOSED both ways J21 (Weston-Super-Mare) -J22 (Burnham-on-Sea) due to a serious collision
If you are caught within the closure @ASPolice and #TrafficOfficers will get you moving as soon as it is safe.Please keep following the feed for further updates
'Expect delays'
Motorists stuck in the M5 traffic warn of long delays.
One person said: Accident southbound around j22 expect long delays only just happened around 13.45
Another added: Rolling road block M5 Southbound 1 mile before Weston. Complete standstill
"Serious collision"
National Highways has warned M5 southbound is closed southbound following a 'serious' crash. It added traffic has also be stopped northbound to allow an air ambulance to land.
The M5 in Somerset is closed southbound between J21 (Weston-Super-Mare) and J22 (Burnham-on-Sea) due to a serious collision
Traffic has also been stopped on the northbound carriageway to allow for Air Ambulance arrival.
Emergency services including Avon and Somerset Police are in attendance. National Highways Traffic Officers are also assisting with traffic management on scene.
Northbound traffic stopped
M5 - SOMERSET - BOTH DIRECTIONS
All traffic being temporarily held and stationary traffic due to accident on M5 in both directions from J21 A370 ( Weston-super-mare ) to Sedgemoor Services. Accident between J21 ( Weston-super-mare ) and J22 (Burnham-On-Sea), camera shows no traffic coming through southbound around 13:45, northbound has now stopped around 14:00 after a rolling road block for air ambulance to land.
