M5 traffic chaos as major motorway closed in BOTH directions after horror lorry crash

The M5 has been blocked in both directions this afternoon after a horror lorry crash in Somerset[1] - sparking traffic chaos and delays expected to last hours. The "serious accident" was reported shortly after 3pm between junction 24 for Bridgwater and junction 25 for Taunton. There are now "severe delays" in the surrounding area of the collision, with trapped traffic being held southbound within the closure, Inrix reports.

Drivers have been warned that a stretch of the M5 will remain closed "until further notice", with National Highways saying traffic will not return to normal until after 6pm this evening, Wednesday, February 26. Inrix said: "M5 in both directions closed, queueing traffic due to serious accident, a lorry involved from J24 A38 Taunton Road (Bridgwater South) to J25 A358 (Taunton). Camera shows northbound has now closed around 15:25 and southbound closed around 15:15, trapped traffic remains held southbound within the closure."

Emergency services have raced to the scene and drivers have been urged to avoid the area where possible, Somerset Live[3] reports.

A diversion has also been put in place for those looking to take alternative routes. National Highways said: "The M5 in Somerset is closed in both directions between J24 (Bridgwater) and J25 (Taunton) due to a serious collision. "Avon and Somerset Police[4] are currently leading the response to an ongoing incident which has caused the road to be closed until further notice.

National Highways have resources in attendance assisting with traffic management." Travel Somerset warned the collision would tirgger a knock-on effect for travel in the area, writing on X: "#M5 is now closed both ways between J24 Bridgwater and J25 Taunton due to a collision. There are major delays already and the local network is expected to get very busy due to the knock-on effect.

Please plan ahead." An Avon and Somerset Police spokesperson said: "The M5 has been closed in both directions between junctions 24 (Bridgwater) and 25 (Taunton) after a serious collision. We were called at 2.43pm and emergency services are in attendance.

The road is expected to be closed for some time. Motorists are advised to seek alternative routes and we thank them for their patience. "If you were travelling in the area at the time and have any dashcam footage or information which could help our investigation, please call 101 and give the call handler the reference number 5225050845."

The Mirror[5] has contacted South Western Ambulance Service for comment.

This is a breaking news story.

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References

1. ^ Somerset (www.mirror.co.uk)
2. ^ Top Tech: Sky Glass Gen 2 vs Virgin Media's free TV deal - which is better? (www.mirror.co.uk)
3. ^ Somerset Live (www.somersetlive.co.uk)
4. ^ Avon and Somerset Police (www.mirror.co.uk)
5. ^ Mirror (www.mirror.co.uk)
6. ^ Google News (news.google.com)
7. ^ Flipboard (flipboard.com)
8. ^ Apple News (apple.news)
9. ^ Twitter (twitter.com)
10. ^ Facebook (facebook.com)
11. ^ The Mirror (www.mirror.co.uk)