M5 diversion as van and biker crash means lengthy closure
Drivers are being diverted off the M5[1], which remains closed southbound after a van and a motorcycle collided[2]. Delays of around 90 minutes are being reported the motorway near Weston-super-Mare today, Thursday, October 3.
National Highways issued a warning to drivers heading northbound that traffic had been held[3] to facilitate the landing of an air ambulance at the scene. The northbound carriageway was reopened at around 3.50pm but delays remain.
Avon and Somerset Police, along with other emergency services, are in attendance. The southbound carriageway is closed as investigation work takes place.
As emergency services attend to the crash, National Highways has implemented a diversion for those travelling southbound due to the growing tailbacks. The motorway is likely to remain closed for some time. Trapped traffic is being released, according to traffic monitoring service Inrix.
Southbound traffic is advised to adhere to the solid square diversion symbol:
- Exit the M5 southbound at J21
- Join the A370 westbound towards Weston-super-Mare
- Continue around the A370 around Weston-super-Mare and then towards Burnham-on-Sea
- At the roundabout with the A38 (E Brent Roundabout), join the A38 southbound and then continue to re-join the M5 southbound at J22.
Northbound traffic is advised to follow the solid triangle diversion route symbol:
- Exit the M5 northbound at J22 and at the roundabout take the third exit onto the A38 northbound
- Continue on the A38 for approximately 1.5 miles to the next roundabout and take the first exit onto the A370 northbound
- Remain on the A370 for approximately 5 miles to the junction with the A3033/Devonshire Road
- Turn right onto the A3033 and continue to the Drove Roundabout with the A370
- Take the third exit onto the A30 towards Bristol
- Continue on the A370 for approximately 4 miles to reach J21 of the M5 and continue your journey
The first report of the crash was made by roads and traffic monitoring site Inrix at 1.49pm. All traffic was halted and stationary due to the accident on M5 southbound from J21 A370 (Weston-super-mare) to Strowland Lane (Sedgemoor Services). Cameras showed no traffic passing through around 13:45″.
For the latest updates on the situation on the M5, follow our live blog here.[4]
References
- ^ off the M5 (www.somersetlive.co.uk)
- ^ after a van and a motorcycle collided (www.somersetlive.co.uk)
- ^ traffic had been held (www.somersetlive.co.uk)
- ^ our live blog here. (www.somersetlive.co.uk)