Devon and Cornwall traffic delays as crashes and incidents clog roads

Traffic is being brought to a halt across Devon and Cornwall today as volumes build and crashes close lanes and even roads. Four accidents have been causing hold-ups by the middle of the day, with other roads seeing traffic slow to a crawl – including four separate spots on the A30.

In Devon two stretches of road were entirely closed due to crashes. The B3192 in Teignmouth has been brought to a halt in both directions with traffic queues since this morning due to an accident in the area from Luscombe Hill, in Teignmouth, and Rixdale Road, in Ashcombe.

And at Upottery the main A30 is also closed in both directions with traffic at a standstill due to an accident at the A303 to Taunton turn-off at Yarcombe. The A30 in Cornwall also had its troubles, with a crash at Launceston closing the eastbound lane and causing queues.

Two vehicles were involved in the crash near the Callington turn-off first reported just before 11am. The Inrix traffic data website said the crash caused congestion to the Kennards House junction and added: “Delays not helped by a broken down vehicle at the Kennards House turn-off.”

Meanwhile, there are traffic queues on the M5 northbound in Somerset due to a crash between junction 24, the A38 Taunton Road and Bridgwater South turn-off, and junction 23, the A39 Bridgwater North exit. The lanes were reopened at 12.45pm after a vehicle was removed from the carriageway.

Elsewhere there continue to be delays on the A30 at Zelah in Cornwall, and in Kenton, Devon, near Powderham Castle where the Lets Rock Exeter concert – featuring bands including Soft Cell, OMD, the Undertones and the Beat – is scheduled.

And the Torpoint crossing is down to two ferries with the Lynher II out of action due to “a technical issue”. A spokesperson for the ferry, which connects Plymouth with Torpoint, said the problem is with the vessel’s chain drive system. The spokesperson said: “The ferry engineering team are working to resolve this fault and return Lynher II to full service.”

See updates as we get them in our live blog below.