Hour-long delays on M5 in Somerset due to half term getaway
There have been reports of hour-long tailbacks due to the half term getaway.
In the last half hour National Highways has advised motorists of “very long delays” between Junctions 17 (Cribbs Causeway) and Junction 19 (Portishead) due to holiday traffic.
There have been hour-long delays from this morning (Saturday, May 27) as streams of vehicles head towards Somerset, Devon and Cornwall to take advantage of the sunny weather[1] over the Bank Holiday weekend.
A National Highways spokesperson said: “The M5 in Somerset is currently experiencing long delays southbound between J15 (Bristol, M4, M48) and J22 (Weston-Super-Mare, Burnham-on-Sea, A38) due to an increased volume of traffic due to the half term getaway.
“Average journey times are being delayed by at least 60 minutes between J15 and J22 due to an increased volume of traffic due to the half term getaway as motorists look to make the most of the bank holiday weekend and the start of half term.
“Our South West Regional Operating Centre have increased patrols in key areas to ensure any unplanned incidents are dealt with as swiftly as possible.
“To ensure journeys are as reliable as possible we have lifted more than 1,400 miles of roadworks this bank holiday weekend to help motorists enjoy smoother journeys.
“More than 98 per cent of England’s motorway and major A road network are currently free from planned roadworks over the holiday period.
“Planned roadworks were removed from England’s major A-road and motorway network at 6am on Friday 26th May and will not be put back in place until Tuesday 30th May.”