M5 crash – five lanes closed as vans hit central reservation

Delays of over an hour were reported for those travelling on the M5 between junction 8 (M50) and junction 7 (Worcester) on Thursday (July 2). Two vans were involved in a crash on the northbound carriageway at around 2pm, with damage also caused to the motorway’s central reservation. A spokesperson for National Highways said: “The northbound carriageway is blocked due to an crash between junctions 8 and 7.

“All three lanes are currently blocked but traffic is passing the scene via the hard shoulder.” CRASH: Two vans were involved in the crash which caused damage to the central reservation and a lamppost (Image: Motorway Cameras) Two lanes on the southbound carriageway were also blocked while emergency services dealt with the incident.

At around 4pm, AA Traffic reported delays of up to 84 minutes on the northbound carriageway, while the southbound faced 47 minutes of congestion. The Armco barriers on the northbound side of the central reservation were damaged during the crash, and one of the lampposts was knocked down. Delays of over an hour were reported (Image: Motorway Cameras)

While much of the M5 in Worcestershire has seen its steel Armco barriers replaced with sturdier and more versatile concrete walls in the last 15 years, J7-J8 has not yet been updated.

A spokesperson for West Mercia Police said no one was arrested at the scene.

References

^ Dangerous driving court case dropped after police failed to follow procedure (www.worcesternews.co.uk)
^ Brick hurled through car window on city street (www.worcesternews.co.uk)