Lorry carrying 22 tonnes of potatoes blocks M5
An overturned lorry carrying potatoes has forced the partial closure of the M5 in Devon, with all three southbound lanes blocked. National Highways said the southbound lanes of the motorway were closed between junction 28 at Cullompton and junction 29 at Exeter after the lorry crashed shortly before 08:00 GMT on Wednesday. Police said the lorry was carrying 22 tonnes of loose potatoes when it tipped.
The potatoes have to be unloaded before the lorry can be righted, officers said. One person was injured in the crash but the injuries are not thought to be serious, police added. Sgt Owen Jones, from Devon and Cornwall Police, said the recovery operation was proving difficult.
“Unfortunately it’s blocking all three lanes and the hard shoulder,” he said. “We’re working hard to get it recovered but unfortunately 22 tonnes of loose potatoes are causing us quite some problems. “It’s hindering recovery at the moment.”
He warned it was likely the road would stay closed for several more hours. “It’s looking like an all-dayer,” he said. “We’ve got quite a few officers coming from various parts of the force to give us a hand unloading these potatoes before we can complete recovery.”
National Highways urged motorists to allow extra travel time with delays expected
‘Delay your journey’
National Highways said it had reopened junction 27 after it was earlier closed to allow stuck traffic to leave the motorway. It said the road would remain closed throughout the evening rush, and expected to reopen “late evening”. “You may wish to re-route or even delay your journey,” it said.
Julian Mitchell, from National Highways, said it had been a long day. He said: “The recovery has taken quite a lot longer as the lorry is carrying a full load of potatoes – which is probably destined for people’s tables over the Christmas period. “As you can imagine, the clean up operation is quite challenging.”
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