Major route into South West blocked as overturned lorry sheds load

Major route into South West blocked as overturned lorry sheds load | Somerset LiveSkip to main content[1]

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The lorry was carrying fruit and vegetables

09:53, 21 Feb 2026Updated 10:55, 21 Feb 2026

Aftermath of crash on A303.(Image: National Highways)

Everything we know about serious crash on the A303

1. A lorry carrying fruit and vegetables overturned on the A303[2] this morning (Saturday, February 21). The incident happened at around 7.11am between the A350 at Chicklade and the B3092 at Mere.
2. The vehicle struck the nearside barrier which caused it to overturn and rest on its side. Wiltshire Police[3] said the lorry suffered "significant damage" with a "substantial stretch" of the barrier being damaged.
3. The A303 was closed shortly after the crash[4] with National Highways reporting the closure at 7.58am. Emergency services are at the scene.
4. The lorry will need to be stabilised before specialist recovery teams can start to remove it.

   It is likely that heavy lifting equipment, including cranes, will be used to right the lorry and remove it from the carriageway.

5. National Highways said a diesel spill has been reported which will need to be treated before the A303 can reopen. Then the damaged roadside barrier will be assessed and immediate repairs will be carried out, if needed.
6. Diversion routes are in place for motorists on the A303. The diversion route uses the A350, going to the Ivy Cross Roundabout in Shaftesbury, then joining the B3081 and rejoining the A303.

   The diversion route is the same vise versa.

7. A spokesperson for National Highways added: "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."

FOLLOW OUR LIVE UPDATES: Live: A303 closed due to 'serious' crash involving lorry[5]

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References

1. ^ Skip to main content (www.somersetlive.co.uk)
2. ^ A303 (www.somersetlive.co.uk)
3. ^ Wiltshire Police (www.somersetlive.co.uk)
4. ^ crash (www.somersetlive.co.uk)
5. ^ Live: A303 closed due to 'serious' crash involving lorry (www.somersetlive.co.uk)
6. ^ Reach and across our entities (www.reachplc.com)
7. ^ cookies (www.somersetlive.co.uk)
8. ^ Privacy Notice (www.somersetlive.co.uk)
9. ^ Terms and Conditions (www.somersetlive.co.uk)