Drivers face long queues on the M5 in Somerset while police respond to an emergency incident. All traffic has been stopped on the motorway in both directions between junctions 23 and 24, with traffic cameras showing long queues forming and delays in the area, with tailbacks six miles long..
National Highways said Avon and Somerset Police officers are at the scene: "Traffic has been STOPPED in both directions on the #M5 in #Somerset between J23 ( #Bridgwater ) and J24 ( #Huntworth ) due to an @Aspolice led incident. More information to follow shortly. Thanks for your patience if you're held up."
Traffic monitoring system Inrix adds: "All traffic being temporarily held and stationary traffic due to police incident on M5 in both directions from J23 A39 (Bridgwater North) to J24 A38 Taunton Road (Bridgwater South)." TRaffic has now begun to be turned around.
This is a live blog. Scroll below for more updates.
Key Events
Drivers told to return to cars
Shannon Brown
Long delays continue
Long delays due to earlier police incident on M5 in both directions from J24 A38 Taunton Road (Bridgwater South) to J23 A39 (Bridgwater North). Congestion to Northbound before J25 (Taunton) and Southbound J21 ( Weston-super-mare ) heavily congested along the earlier diversion routes. All lanes are open following a police incident that shut the road earlier on at around 11am, but residual delays remain.
Shannon Brown
Queuing traffic
Shannon Brown
Residual delays remain
Severe delays due to earlier police incident on M5 in both directions from J24 A38 Taunton Road (Bridgwater South) to J23 A39 (Bridgwater North). Congestion to Northbound before J25 (Taunton) and Southbound J21 ( Weston-super-mare ) heavily congested along the earlier diversion routes. All lanes are open following a police incident that shut the road earlier on at around 11am, but residual delays remain.
Shannon Brown
Concern for welfare 'resolved safely', say police
An incident which closed the M5 in both directions has been 'safely resolved', police have said. The motorway was closed between between Bridgwater and Huntworth this morning (Monday, July 1) following while Avon and Somerset Police officers responded to reports of concern for the welfare of a man on the motorway.
Officers were called to the scene at around 10am, alongside other emergency services workers, and the road was closed in both directions. Vehicles were stationary on the road into the afternoon, prompting some motorists to get out of their cars and stroll across the motorway. Six miles of tailbacks in each direction were reported.
Read the full story here.
Shannon Brown
Severe delays continue
Severe delays due to earlier incident on M5 in both directions from J24 A38 Taunton Road (Bridgwater South) to J23 A39 (Bridgwater North). Congestion to Northbound before J25 (Taunton) and Southbound before Sedgemoor Services, heavily congested along the earlier diversion routes. Camera shows Northbound now released around 12:45 and Southbound traffic was released around 12:25.
Shannon Brown
Long delays remain
Shannon Brown
M5 reopens in both directions
Shannon Brown
A372 reopens
Earlier incident on A372 Westonzoyland Road in both directions from Dunwear turn off to Summerway Drove.
Shannon Brown
Delays of 90-minutes
Highways reports delays of around 90 minutes on the M5 in Somerset: "There are currently delays of 1 and a half hours against expected traffic"
Shannon Brown
Both directions reopen, reports Inrix
Severe delays due to earlier incident on M5 in both directions from J24 A38 Taunton Road (Bridgwater South) to J23 A39 (Bridgwater North). Congestion to Northbound before J25 (Taunton) and Southbound before Sedgemoor Services, heavily congested along the earlier diversion routes. Camera shows Northbound now released around 12:45 and Southbound traffic was released around 12:25.
Shannon Brown
Severe queues from Taunton to Weston-super-Mare
Shannon Brown
Northbound carriageway reopened
Inrix reports:
M5 Northbound closed, severe delays due to police incident from J24 A38 Taunton Road (Bridgwater South) to J23 A39 (Bridgwater North). Congestion to Northbound before J25 (Taunton) and Southbound Sedgemoor Services. Camera shows Southbound traffic has been released around 12:25 but Northbound remains closed. most of the Northbound trapped traffic was turned around, but that has now stopped.
Shannon Brown
Miles of congestion and severe delays
Molly Seaman
Public warned to avoid the area
A spokesperson from Devon and Cornwall Police said:
Officers are continuing to assist the fire service at the scene of a large fire at the disused Hotel California, Newquay and request that members of the public to stay away from the area. Cordons remain in place at this time.
KEY EVENT
Drivers told to return to cars
Drivers on the M5 have been urged to 'return to their vehicles' as traffic is release from a complete road closure. The motorway has been closed in both directions near Bridgwater while emergency services are at the scene of a serious incident today (Monday, July 1).
The road was initially closed between junctions 23 and 24 at around 10.40am, according to reports, and 'severe delays' have been reported in both directions. National Highways traffic officers are in the process of turning around vehicles trapped within the closure, starting from the back of the queues.
Read the full story here.
Shannon Brown
A372 also closed in both directions
A372 Westonzoyland Road in both directions closed due to Police Incident on the M5 from Dunwear turn off to Summerway Drove.
Shannon Brown
M5 being reopened southbound
National Highways has said traffic officers are in the process of reopeneing the road southbound. The northbound direction remains closed.
We are now in the process of re-opening the #M5 southbound between between J23 (#Bridgwater) & J24 (#Huntworth) and allowing traffic past the scene of the earlier incident. Northbound remains closed at this time. Long delays remain both ways. Thanks for your patience.
Shannon Brown
People told to 'return to vehicles'
Shannon Brown
Traffic cameras show delays
Shannon Brown
Congestion between Taunton and Burnham-on-sea
Inrix reports:
M5 in both directions closed, long delays due to police incident from J23 A39 (Bridgwater North) to J24 A38 Taunton Road (Bridgwater South). Congestion to Northbound before J25 (Taunton) and Southbound J22 ( Burnham-on-sea ). Camera shows Northbound trapped traffic is being turned around but Southbound remains held. the road has closed as traffic was held since around 10:40am.
Daniel Clark
Six miles of tailbacks
Shannon Brown
Motorists turned around
Shannon Brown
Closure expected 'for some time'
National Highways said: "The M5 in Somerset is closed in both directions between J24 (Huntworth) and J23 near Bridgwater due to an Avon and Somerset Police led incident.
"National Highways Traffic Officers are also in attendance assisting with traffic management.
"Due to the nature of the incident, the closure is expected to be in place for some time."
Shannon Brown
Drivers stuck for 'around an hour'
One motorist said they have been in traffic on the M5 for "around an hour".
Shannon Brown
'Very long delays' expected
Shannon Brown
M5 closed in both directions
National Highways now reports the road has been closed in both directions and "very long delays" are expected in the area.
The #M5 in #Somerset is now CLOSED in both directions between J23 (#Bridgwater) and J24 (#Huntworth) due to an ongoing @aspolice led incident. Diversions will be put in place. Thanks for your patience if you're held up. Expect very long delays in the area.
Shannon Brown
