M5 lane to remain closed overnight after large diesel spill
The clean-up operation after a major fuel spillage on the M5 today (Wednesday) is set to continue through the night. At one point, traffic was tailing back eight miles along the motorway in Somerset after a lorry colliding with debris led to the incident.
Two lanes were closed between junction 20 for Clevedon and 21 for Weston-super-Mare[1] while the initial clean-up took place. National Highways confirmed at around 4pm that one of the lanes had reopened.
Lane one of the motorway[2] remains closed with delays of around 30 minutes reported between junctions 19 and 21. National Highways[3] added that 150 litres of diesel ended up spilling onto the M5.
As a result, lanes one and two will require resurfacing work to be carried out. This will require closures during the evening and tonight.
A statement from National Highways said: "There are currently delays of 30 minutes and on the M5 southbound between J19 and J21 St George's Interchange (Weston-Super-Mare, A370). This is due to a lane closure following a diesel spillage of 150 litres of diesel, resulting in a carriageway surface damage.
"Lane one (of three) remains closed due to resurfacing. Resurfacing of lanes one and two has been confirmed for tonight. The carriageway will be fully closed to facilitate the resurfacing operation.
"If this closure impacts on your planned route, please allow extra journey time. Plan ahead, you may wish to re-route or even delay your journey. "
References
- ^ Weston-super-Mare (www.somersetlive.co.uk)
- ^ motorway (www.somersetlive.co.uk)
- ^ National Highways (www.somersetlive.co.uk)
- ^ Eight miles of tailbacks on M5 after diesel spillage (www.somersetlive.co.uk)