M5 crash RECAP: Traffic chaos as car smashes into post and 999 crews swarm scene

A car smashed into a lamppost, causing traffic chaos on a major motorway. Drivers faced major delays on the M5 near Bristol following the incident. A slip road on the northbound carriageway at junction 20 was blocked.

At least five emergency service vehicles were at the scene, with traffic cameras showing long tailbacks and queues.

19:46Christopher Mallett

Traffic now moving normally

Traffic on the M5 is now flowing normally. Thank you for following this live blog.

17:18Christopher Mallett

Traffic problems clearing

National Highways says the cars involved with the earlier collision have been removed from the M5 at Junction 16 and that atrffic is starting to clear. The M5 northbound and M4 east and westbound have reopened.

16:59Eliana Nunes

Delays easing

National Highways has said: "The cars from the earlier collision have been removed and slip road from J16 and the M5 northbound to the M4 east and westbound has been reopened.

Delays clearing."

16:01KEY EVENT

Car struck and knocked over lamppost

National Highways has said that one car has struck and knocked over a lighting column, causing delays to build on the M5 near Bristol.

NEW INCIDENT#M5 northbound J15 (#Almondsbury) to #M4 east & westbound #Somerset[1][2][3][4] LINK ROADS CLOSED Due to a collision.

1 car has struck and knocked over a lighting column.

No serious injuries.

Delays already and increasing.@ASPRoadSafety, @swasFT and our officers on scene. pic.twitter.com/WocPm1NCbS[5][6][7]

-- National Highways: South-West (@HighwaysSWEST) December 26, 2025[8]15:54Eliana Nunes

Crash reported at 2.56pm

Traffic monitoring site, Inrix, reported the cash at 2.56pm, saying: "M5 Northbound exit slip road blocked, very slow traffic due to accident at J15 M4 J20 (Almondsbury Interchange)."

References

1. ^ #M5 (twitter.com)
2. ^ #Almondsbury (twitter.com)
3. ^ #M4 (twitter.com)
4. ^ #Somerset (twitter.com)
5. ^ @ASPRoadSafety (twitter.com)
6. ^ @swasFT (twitter.com)
7. ^ pic.twitter.com/WocPm1NCbS (t.co)
8. ^ December 26, 2025 (twitter.com)