M5 crash LIVE: Major UK motorway shuts both carriageways after police incident

Motorists are facing chaos on a busy motorway which has been shut in both directions in a police-led incident. Both carriageways of the M5 [1] between junction 13, for Stroud, and junction 14, for Dursley/Falfield, are shut following a crash [2] this morning. National Highways states: "The M5 in Gloucestershire is closed in both directions between J14 (Dursley) and J13 (Stroud) due to a Gloucestershire Police led incident that was reported at 11:45.

"Traffic Officers are on scene and working with all emergency services with plans being made to clear the traffic caught within the closure."

17:26Sam Elliott-Gibbs

Northbound carriageway 'not moving until around 9pm'

Motorists have been told the northbound carriageway is unlikely to return to normal for a number of hours. Normal traffic conditions are expected between 9pm and 9.15pm, National Highways said. The southbound carriageway has since reopened between the affected junctions.

16:22KEY EVENT

Pedestrian killed in crash

Police have said a pedestrian who sustained serious injuries was pronounced dead at the scene.

Officers were called to junction 14 near Falfied in South Gloucestershire at around 11.40am with a report of a collision involving two lorries and a pedestrian who was on the carriageway. "The pedestrian sustained serious injuries and was pronounced dead at the scene," the force said. "Their next of kin have been informed and are being supported by specially trained officers.

The drivers of the two lorries have been assessed by paramedics and are not believed to have sustained any serious injuries."

14:51Tim Hanlon

Traffic still being cleared from within the M5 closure northbound

National Highways says that vehicles within the M5 northbound closure are still being removed following the incident this morning. It states: "The M5 in Gloucestershire is closed northbound between J14 (Dursley) and J13 (Stroud) due to a Gloucestershire Police led incident that was reported at 11:45. The southbound carriageway has now been reopened.

"Traffic Officers are on scene and working with all emergency services with plans being made to clear the traffic caught within the closure. There are long delays on the A38 strategic diversion route due to local roadworks that are in place......"

14:26KEY EVENT

National Highways update on M5 crash with southbound carriageway reopening

An update from National Highways reads: "The #M5 is now OPEN southbound between J13 (#Stroud) and J14 (#Dursley). The northbound carriageway remains closed for ongoing police investigation work.

There are severe delays on the #A38 strategic diversion route."

14:23Tim Hanlon

Motorists urged to allow extra time for journeys with M5 closed

People are being urged to allow extra time following a serious crash on the M5 which has led to its closure. There are now delays on the approach to the M5 and also on the A38 diversion route. National Highways states: "Please allow extra time for your journey due to delays on the approach and the #A38 diversion route."

13:38Tim Hanlon

Police statement on 'serious collision' on M5 by Michaelwood Services

Gloucestershire Police said: "Emergency services are currently at the scene of a serious collision on the M5 northbound, close to Michaelwood Services.

"We were called with a report of a collision at around 11.40am today (Tuesday) between junctions 14 and 13. All lanes in both directions between these junctions are currently closed and motorists are advised to find alternative routes. "We will provide further updates once more information becomes available."

13:35KEY EVENT

Motorway set to be closed for rest of day

National Highways says that the M5 is likely to remain closed for the rest of the day with police at the scene.

It states: "Due to an ongoing @Glos_Police led incident, the #M5 is now closed in both directions between J14 (#Dursley) and J13 (#Stroud). #TrafficOfficers are on scene to assist with strategic closures on the approach. The road is likely to remain closed throughout the day."

13:27Tim Hanlon

Southbound diversion route for motorists on M5

Road users travelling southbound are advised to follow the Solid Circle diversion symbol on road signs:

Exit the M5 southbound at J13.
At the roundabout, take the 3rd exit onto the A419.
Follow the A419 for a short distance to the A419/A38 roundabout.
At the A419/A38 roundabout, take the 1st exit onto the A38 southbound.
Follow the A38 southbound for 10 miles until the A38/B4509 slip.
At the top of the slip road, turn left onto the B4509.
Follow for a short distance and turn right at the crossroads to rejoin the M5 south at J14.

13:26Tim Hanlon

Diversion in place for northbound traffic

Road users travelling northbound on the M5 are advised "to follow the solid triangle diversion symbol on road signs:

Exit the M5 northbound at J14 and turn left onto the B4509
At the junction with the A38, turn right and join the A38 northbound
Continue on the A38 northbound, passing through the villages of Cambridge and Claypits, to then re-join the M5 northbound at J13

13:26Tim Hanlon

National Highways statement on M5 crash

A statement from National Highways reads: "The M5 in Gloucestershire is closed in both directions between J14 (Dursley) and J13 (Stroud) due to a Gloucestershire Police led incident that was reported at 11:45. "Traffic Officers are on scene and working with all emergency services with plans being made to clear the traffic caught within the closure.

At this stage there are no times for the reopening of the road....."

References

^ carriageways of the M5 (www.mirror.co.uk)
^ crash (www.mirror.co.uk)