Motorways in chaos after lorry crashes through central barrier

There are long traffic delays on the M5, M4 and M48 near Bristol this afternoon (Friday, October 4). A lorry has reportedly crashed through the central barrier of the M5 near the Almondsbury Interchange. The M5 is closed in both directions between junction 14 and junction 15 for the M4.

Meanwhile, the M4 is shut westbound after a separate police incident which has seen a diversion put in place via the M48. The M4 closure is in place between junction 21 and junction 23. There are now long delays on each motorway around the Almondsbury Interchange.

National Highways expects traffic to return to normal by 8.45pm tonight. National Highways: South West said in a post on X at 3.28pm: "The #M5 is closed in both directions between J14 (#Falfield) and J15 (#M4) due to serious collision resulting in an overturned HGV." Traffic monitoring site Inrix adds: "M5 in both directions closed, stationary traffic due to overturned lorry from J15 M4 J20 (Almondsbury Interchange) to J14 B4509 (Thornbury[1] / Falfield).

Traffic held around 15:05, a lorry which was travelling southbound, has overturned and come to rest across the northbound carriageway." It also says: "M4 Westbound closed, long delays due to police incident from J21 M48 to J23 M48. Congestion to all the way back to J19 (Bristol), and the M5 is very slow back to J17 (Cribbs Causeway) as drivers seek an alternative route.

"Cameras show the eastbound carriageway has now been reopened, the westbound side remains closed and all trapped traffic has now been released. Diversion - via M48 Severn Bridge." For all of the latest updates from the M5, follow our live blog here[2].

Meanwhile, for updates on the M4, follow this blog[3].

References

1. ^ Thornbury (www.bristolpost.co.uk)
2. ^ live blog here (www.bristolpost.co.uk)
3. ^ follow this blog (www.bristolpost.co.uk)