Crashes on M5 and M54 hit pre-Christmas Midlands getaways

Two crashes on major Midlands motorways caused chaos for travellers driving home for Christmas[1]. The first took place on the M5 southbound between junctions five, for Droitwich, and six, for Worcester, and involved a lorry and a van at around 12.30pm today, Monday, December 23. West Mercia Police officers attended the incident and initial delays of around 50 minutes with tailbacks of five miles were reported, after three of four lanes were closed.

The closures were lifted at around 3pm but the tailbacks stretched back eight miles. On the M5 incident National Highways West Midlands said: "Lanes 3 and 4 were CLOSED on the M5 southbound between J5 Droitwich and J6 Worcester due to a collision involving a HGV and a van. "All lanes have now reopened on the M5 southbound between J5 (Droitwich) and J6 (Worcester) following the earlier collision.

There is still approx.

8 miles of congestion on approach, causing residual delays of 40 minutes above usual journey times. A second crash happened on the M54 westbound in Shropshire between junctions four, for Shifnal, and five, for Telford, due to a serious collision. A diversion was in place.

National Highways said: "Emergency services including West Mercia Police are in attendance. National Highways traffic officers are also on scene assisting with traffic management. Diversion Details:

Traffic was being diverted via the solid diamond diversion symbol on road signs:

• At M54 Junction 4 take the exit to A464 southbound
• Continue along A464 southbound to its junction with A445 (Randley Interchange)
• Take the exit to A442 and continue to its junction with A5 (Hollinswood Interchange).
• Take the exit to A5 westbound and continue to its junction with M54 Junction 5

"If this closure impacts on your planned route, please allow extra journey time. Plan ahead, you may wish to re-route or even delay your journey."

A West Mercia Police spokeswoman said: "Our officers are still at the scene of the M54 collision which took place at 2.25pm. One woman is being treated for injuries but we are unsure of the seriousness.

"Police were also called at 12.30pm to a collision involving a lorry and car on the M5 between junction 6 and junction 7.

No serious injuries to report." West Midlands Ambulance Service[3] said it was stood down on the M5 collision and Hereford and Worcester Fire and Rescue Service did not attend.

References

1. ^ Christmas (www.birminghammail.co.uk)
2. ^ Knifeman hunted after Tesco Express and Nisa raids in Midlands town (www.birminghammail.co.uk)
3. ^ West Midlands Ambulance Service (www.birminghammail.co.uk)