M5 closure LIVE: ‘Police incident’ unfolds as major UK motorway shuts both ways

A "welfare concern" has led to police stopping traffic on a busy motorway. which has led to delays of 90 minutes. There has been traffic chaos with the carriages closed in both directions [1] between Junction 19 of the M5 near the A369, Martcombe Road, in Portishead, and Junction 18 onto the M49. The police-led incident [2] has also led to high levels of congestion in Bristol City Centre.

The traffic monitoring site Inrix, said: "All traffic is being temporarily held and stationary traffic due to a police incident on the M5 in both directions from J19 A369 Martcombe Road (Portishead) to J18 M49."

18:16Tim Hanlon

Police issue statement on incident after M5 reopens

A statement from Avon and Somerset Police reads: "National Highways have confirmed the M5 is now reopened in both directions. We know this has led to a number of significantly delayed journeys today and we're grateful for people's patience. Safety must always be our priority.

"While we would ordinarily wish to provide an estimate as to how long a road may need to be closed, given the sensitive circumstances of this particular incident it would have been impossible to provide an accurate prediction, and may have led to further issues. We wish everyone a safe onward journey."

18:11KEY EVENT

M5 reopens in both directions but delays remain 'of at least 60 mins'

The M5 has been reopened in both directions but motorists face delays of at least 60 minutes. A statement from National Highways reads: "The #M5 in #Bristol is now OPEN in both directions between J18 and J19 southbound and J21 to J18 northbound following a @ASPolice led incident. @BristolAirport.

"Please allow extra time if travelling in the area as long delay remain of at least 60 mins."

17:55Tim Hanlon

Traffic mayhem in Bristol area with people urged to seek other 'options' if possible

People travelling in the Bristol area are being told to allow extra time for their journey's or seek other options were possible. West, the transport information service, stated: "There is currently heavy traffic congestion in Bristol city centre and surrounding areas, as well as parts of North Somerset and South Gloucestershire. "Bus services are experiencing delays.

Please allow extra time for your journey or consider alternative options where possible."

There is currently heavy traffic congestion in Bristol city centre and surrounding areas, as well as parts of North Somerset and South Gloucestershire. Bus services are experiencing delays. Please allow extra time for your journey or consider alternative options where possible pic.twitter.com/qoWCBgevG7 [3]

-- WEST (@travelWESTeng) January 30, 2026 [4]17:23Tim Hanlon

Traffic stuck southbound is being released from the rear of the queue

A National Highways statement reads: "The M5 is closed in both directions, on the northbound carriageway between J21 and J18 and southbound between J18 and J19 due to an Avon & Somerset Police led incident.

"A local diversion is currently in place prior to the closure. Traffic within the southbound is currently being released from the rear of the queue. Preparations are being made to release traffic on the northbound carriageway.

"If this closure impacts on your planned route please allow extra time. Plan ahead, you may wish to re-route or even delay your journey."

16:56Tim Hanlon

Football fans heading to Bristol City game warned of delays on M5

Derby County fans heading to the South West for the clash with Bristol City at 8pm this evening are being warned of the incident on the M5. Derby County Supporter Services said: "Information for supporters travelling to Bristol this evening: The M5 is currently closed in both directions between J18 and J19 due to an incident.

It is unclear how long this closure will be. Diversions will be in place so please plan accordingly."

16:51Tim Hanlon

Map shows major congestion around Bristol with M5 closed

Map shows major congestion around Bristol this evening with the M5 closed between Junctions 18 and 19 and there is also a knock-on effect by the turn off for Bristol Airport.

A map showing the congestion16:30Tim Hanlon

AA warns of 'severe delays' of more than two hours on M5

An AA Alert says that delays northbound on the M5 are now more than two hours. It states: "Severe delays of 137 minutes on M5 Northbound between J20 B3133 Ettlingen Way (Clevedon) and J18 M49.

Average speed five mph."

16:17Tim Hanlon

Delays are now 90mins northbound on the M5

National Highways says: "The #M5 in #Bristol remains closed in both directions between J18 #M49 and J19 #GordanoServices due to an ongoing @ASPolice led incident. @BristolAirport.

90 min delays northbound and 60 min delays southbound."

15:40Tim Hanlon

Motorist warned of hour long delays on M5

An update from National Highways warns of hour long delays with the M5 still closed in both directions. It states: "The #M5 in #Bristol remains closed in both directions between J18 #M49 and J19 #GordanoServices due to an ongoing @ASPolice led incident. @BristolAirport. "60 min delays above normal travel time on approach.

Please consider alternative routes."

A 'welfare concern' stopped traffic earlier today (Highways England)15:21Benjamin Lynch

Bristol City centre suffering congestion

Knock-on effects of the delays have been felt in Bristol city centre. WEST, the transport information service of the West of England Mayoral Combined Authority and North Somerset Council, said the area is "currently experiencing high levels of congestion and delays due to traffic diverting around a closure of the M5 J18-J19." WEST urged motorists to "give yourself extra time to travel" and also consider alternative routes.

Further delays on the M32 and Newfoundland Way Southbound into Bristol city centre have been reported. The traffic monitoring site Inrix said travel time is 35 minutes.

14:43Benjamin Lynch

Motorists at a standstill

Motorists have said they are stuck on the M5, and warned others to avoid the motorway. "Just got stuck heading to Portishead," one person said. "Motorway closed at Avonmouth bridge in both directions.

Check traffic before going that way. Portway also busy." Another said: "Well been stuck in traffic for good few hours on M5 by Bristol."

14:24Benjamin Lynch

Closure: mapped

This map from National Highways shows the closure that is causing the delays and affected areas.

Closure on the M5 pictured (Google)14:20Benjamin Lynch

Congestion back several miles

Live maps on the National Highways website shows congestion going back from J18, all the way back to J21.

A diversion is in place, but there are delays of one hour between J20 to J21. Currently, the map suggests this area is at a standstill.

14:06KEY EVENT

Why is traffic stopped on the M5?

Traffic is stopped on the M5 in both directions due to an ongoing police-led incident. Police have said this is a welfare concern, but no other details on this are currently available.

The Mirror has contacted Avon and Somserset police. Increasingly lengthy queues are occurring, with motorists saying they have been stuck for some time. National Highways has said the M5 is "closed in both directions between J18 (M49) and J19 (Gordano Services)" and a local diversion is in place prior to the closure.

13:54Benjamin Lynch

Air passengers warned

Passengers at Bristol Airport have been warned of delays.

In a statement on social media, airport officials said: "The M5 has been closed in both directions between J18 (Avonmouth) and J19 (Portishead), due to a Police led incident. Please seek alternative routes and allow extra time for your journey."

Bristol Airport warned passengers of the delays (Copyright Unknown)13:51KEY EVENT

Welfare concern - police

Officers have confirmed a "welfare incident" is the cause of the delays on the M5. Avon and Somerset Police said: "The M5 is currently closed between J18 (M49) and J19 (Portishead) due to a welfare incident.

"We are grateful for your patience and understanding while emergency services respond to this matter."

13:43Benjamin Lynch

Diversion in place

"A local diversion is currently in place prior to the closure," says National Highways.

13:37Benjamin Lynch

Motorists moan traffic at a 'standstill'

Motorists have taken to social media to express their frustrations about being stuck in long queues. "Still standstill, they have said it might open at 2:30," one person said.

13:22Benjamin Lynch

Arrangements made to release traffic

National Highways said "arrangements are being made to release the traffic within the closure". It added: "If this closure impacts on your planned route please allow extra time.

Plan ahead, you may wish to re-route or even delay your journey."

13:08Benjamin Lynch

Police-led incident - National Highways

"The M5 (Avonmouth Bridge) is closed in both directions between J18 (M49) and J19 (Gordano Services) due to an Avon & Somerset Police led incident," National Highways has said.

13:08Benjamin Lynch

Traffic stopped near Portishead

Traffic is stopped due to a temporary hold is in place in both directions between Junction 19 near the A369, Martcombe Road, in Portishead, and Junction 18 onto the M49.

References

^ both directions (www.mirror.co.uk)
^ incident (www.mirror.co.uk)
^ pic.twitter.com/qoWCBgevG7 (t.co)
^ January 30, 2026 (twitter.com)