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.

Traffic map shows congestion on diversion route

'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 of the vehicles

M5 junction 221 (Image: National Highways )

M5 southbound traffic

M5 southbound traffic (Image: National Highways )

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

'Considerable' delays

More M5 diversions

National Highways diversions for southbound and northbound traffic.

Read more here.

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:

  • Exit the M5 southbound at J21
  • Join the A370 westbound towards Weston-super-Mare
  • Continue around the A370 around Weston-super-Mare and then towards Burnham-on-Sea
  • At the roundabout with the A38 (E Brent Roundabout), join the A38 southbound and then continue to re-join the M5 southbound at J22.
  • Northbound traffic should follow the solid triangle symbol:

  • Exit the M5 northbound at J22 and at the roundabout take the third exit onto the A38 northbound
  • Continue on the A38 for approximately 1.5 miles to the next roundabout and take the first exit onto the A370 northbound
  • Remain on the A370 for approximately 5 miles to the junction with the A3033/Devonshire Road
  • Turn right onto the A3033 and continue to the Drove Roundabout with the A370
  • Take the third exit onto the A30 towards Bristol
  • Continue on the A370 for approximately 4 miles to reach J21 of the M5 and continue your journey
  • Trapped traffic being released

    We understand that trapped traffic is being released.

    Biker involved in M5 crash

    Avon and Somerset Police has confirmed a motorbike and a van were involved in the 'serious' M5 crash.

    Read the full story here.

    More from the M5

    Traffic camera of M5 (Image: National Highways )

    Police at the scene

    Police are at the scene directing trapped traffic.

    Emergency services at scene of M5 crash (Image: National Highways )

    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

    Air ambulance lands on M5 following serious crash in Somerset

    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

    Diversions in place

    National Highways has put diversions in place.

    Read more here.

    '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.