M5 traffic RECAP: Three-HOUR delays and 14 miles of queues over ‘structural’ emergency

Drivers are facing huge three hour delays on a busy motorway[1] with nearly 15 mile tailbacks caused by a "structural emergency". Three lanes on the M5 near Bristol[2] have been closed for emergency repairs with the motorway heaving with holiday traffic and many people heading to Devon and Cornwall during the summer holidays. National Highways said that there is an "infrastructure defect" on the M5 northbound Avonmouth Bridge between Portishead and Bristol.

National Highways South West updated its guidance at 2.32pm today, saying: "There are now SEVERE delays of over two hours and eight miles of congestion on the M5 northbound in Somerset. This is due to three lanes which are closed on the Avonmouth Bridge between J19 (Portishead) and J18 (Bristol) for emergency road surface repairs. Allow plenty of extra time."

Our blog on the motorway chaos has ended

20:16Tim Hanlon

Motorists are told to expect delays until at least 9pm on M5

Repairs are continuing to the M5 near Bristol with motorists told that two lanes will remain closed until at least 9pm National Highways: South West states: "2 lanes (of 4) remain closed on the #M5. "#AvonmouthBridge northbound between J19 (#Portishead) & J18 (#Bristol) for emergency repairs.

The lane closures will be in place until at least 21:00 for tarmac curing. There's a 2 hour delay & 14 miles of congestion back to J21."

19:07Tim Hanlon

Chaos on M5 comes a week after motorway closed by 'serious collision'

Current chaos on the M5 comes a week after it came to a standstill in both directions[3] following a "serious collision" All lanes were closed on a stretch of the M5 in Devon between J28 (Cullompton) and J29 (Exeter Airport).

The horror crash was reported after 9.30am on August 10 as police and emergency services rushed to the scene. Drivers were warned to expect huge delays as diversions were put in place to avoid the terrifying crash site.

18:36KEY EVENT

Lane closures expected to continue until 8.30pm, says National Highways

Motorists have been told that they face queues until at least 8.30pm tonight with two lanes still closed on the M5. As drivers on social media have complained about being stuck in traffic for more than four hours, there will be a further two hours of delays while emergency repairs are carried out.

"We're expecting the lane closures to be in place until at least 20:30," said National Highways: South West.

17:58Tim Hanlon

Images show motorway being resurfaced amid queues of nearly 15 miles

Images show tarmac being laid on the M5 as emergency repairs take place causing queues of nearly 15 miles. With the motorway busy with holiday traffic, there are now two lanes closed and people are forced to wait in sweltering conditions on the motorway.

2 lanes (of 4) remain closed on the #M5[4] #AvonmouthBridge[5] northbound between J19 (#Portishead[6]) & J18 (#Bristol[7]) for emergency repairs. The lane closures will be in place into the evening to allow for tarmac curing.

There's a 3 hour delay & 14.5 miles of congestion back to J21 pic.twitter.com/0BUjwvW6Gi[8]

-- National Highways: South-West (@HighwaysSWEST) August 17, 2025[9]17:34KEY EVENT

National Highways update on motorway chaos with 'tarmac curing' underway

A lane has reopened on the M5 and so now two are closed while "tarmac curing" takes place. National Highways: South West states: "2 lanes (of 4) remain closed on the #M5. "#AvonmouthBridge northbound between J19 (#Portishead) & J18 (#Bristol) for emergency repairs.

The lane closures will be in place into the evening to allow for tarmac curing. There's a 3 hour delay & 14.5 miles of congestion back to J21."

17:23Tim Hanlon

Three lanes closed on M5 'until the evening' due to road repairs

Motorists are being warned that three lanes of the M5 are likely to remain closed until the evening while emergency repairs are carried out. The incident is on the M5 northbound at Avonmouth Bridge between Portishead and Bristol.

National Highways: South West: "A reminder that 3 lanes (of 4) are closed on the #AvonmouthBridge between J19 (#Portishead) & J18 (#Bristol) for emergency road surface repairs. "The lane closures will be in place until the evening. There's a 3 hour delay and approx 14.5 miles of congestion on approach."

Repairs are being carried out (HighwaysSWEST/X)17:07Tim Hanlon

'Immediate repairs' needed due to the severe damage says National Highways

Road repair machinery is carrying out work on the M5 due to an "immediate" problem, says National Highways.

With motorists complaining that work is being done on a busy day with so much holiday traffic, the national agency has responded that it was necessary. National Highways: South West wrote on X: "Due to the nature of the damage, the repairs are needed immediately in order for the lanes to be able to re-open."

17:00Tim Hanlon

Images shows severe damage to the M5 with repairs taking place

Images show repairs taking place on the M5 with the surface of the motorway severely damaged.

A reminder that 3 lanes (of 4) are closed on the #AvonmouthBridge[10] between J19 (#Portishead[11]) & J18 (#Bristol[12]) for emergency road surface repairs. The lane closures will be in place until the evening.

There's a 3 hour delay and approx 14.5 miles of congestion on approach. pic.twitter.com/PChwGQHEwp[13]

-- National Highways: South-West (@HighwaysSWEST) August 17, 2025[14]16:55KEY EVENT

Surface repairs are underway on M5 as delays are now more than three hours

Drivers are being warned of more than three-hour-long delays on the M5 with repairs now underway. National Highways: South West stated on X: "A reminder that 3 lanes (of 4) are closed on the #AvonmouthBridge between J19 (#Portishead) & J18 (#Bristol) for emergency road surface repairs. The lane closures will be in place until the evening.

There's a 3 hour delay and approx 14.5 miles of congestion on approach."

16:43Tim Hanlon

'Three lanes closed due to emergency repairs' says Inrix

Roads and traffic monitoring website, Inrix said: "Long delays, queueing traffic and three lanes closed due to emergency repairs on M5 Avonmouth Bridge northbound from J19 A369 Martcombe Road (Portishead) to J18 M49. Congestion to J20 (Clevedon)."

16:42Tim Hanlon

Update from National Highways on M5 major delays

National Highways South West updated its guidance at 2.32pm today, saying: "There are now SEVERE delays of over two hours and eight miles of congestion on the M5 northbound in Somerset. "This is due to three lanes which are closed on the Avonmouth Bridge between J19 (Portishead) and J18 (Bristol) for emergency road surface repairs.

Allow plenty of extra time."

References

  1. ^ motorway (www.mirror.co.uk)
  2. ^ Bristol (www.mirror.co.uk)
  3. ^ after it came to a standstill in both directions (www.mirror.co.uk)
  4. ^ #M5 (twitter.com)
  5. ^ #AvonmouthBridge (twitter.com)
  6. ^ #Portishead (twitter.com)
  7. ^ #Bristol (twitter.com)
  8. ^ pic.twitter.com/0BUjwvW6Gi (t.co)
  9. ^ August 17, 2025 (twitter.com)
  10. ^ #AvonmouthBridge (twitter.com)
  11. ^ #Portishead (twitter.com)
  12. ^ #Bristol (twitter.com)
  13. ^ pic.twitter.com/PChwGQHEwp (t.co)
  14. ^ August 17, 2025 (twitter.com)