M5 live updates: Long queues after serious crash amid ‘severe’ delays in Somerset
Several crashes, holiday traffic and the wet weather have led to long delays on the M5 throughout the day (July 14). All traffic was held between junctions 24 and 23 heading north following the incident at around 2.40pm.
National Highways says the road is open again, but long delays remained between junctions 26 and 23 – which were up to an hour at one point. The comes amid severe delays on the M5[1] this afternoon (Friday, July 14) as drivers begin their weekend journeys in torrential rain.
The worst of the traffic has been seen on the southbound carriageway in Worcestershire between junctions 5 at Droitwich and 7 at Worcester/Evesham, where eight mile tailbacks and 45 minutes of disruption are being reported, according to INRIX.
Pockets of traffic are also beginning to form in the South West and across Somerset. The largest queues are being reported northbound between junctions 26 at Wellington[2] and 20 at Clevedon[3], where a travel time of 25 minutes is being mooted.
Disruption is expected to continue to build throughout the afternoon with the inclement weather expected to make the roads particularly treacherous. Several weather warnings are in place[4], and anyone travelling on the motorway this afternoon is urged to take care.
This is a live blog and will be update. Scroll down for the latest information.
References
- ^ the M5 (www.somersetlive.co.uk)
- ^ Wellington (www.somersetlive.co.uk)
- ^ Clevedon (www.somersetlive.co.uk)
- ^ weather warnings are in place (www.somersetlive.co.uk)