A stretch of the M5 motorway in Devon was closed in both directions on Monday morning due to a police-led incident, causing significant traffic disruption. The closure affected the area between junction 31 at Shillingford Abbot and junction 30 near Exeter, with the incident beginning just after 4:30am.
Devon and Cornwall Police confirmed that officers were called at around 3:50am to reports of a welfare concern for a female in Clyst St Mary, Exeter. The woman was later located on a bridge over the M5, prompting a full road closure as a precaution. Police negotiators attended the scene, and the woman was eventually brought to safety and taken into the care of emergency services.
National Highways reported that there were no initial delays on approach, but congestion quickly built up as traffic sought alternative routes. The A379 between Kennford and Sandygate Roundabout experienced significant delays, and Old Rydon Lane was also closed. Diversion routes were put in place, but motorists were advised to avoid the area.
Traffic monitoring website Inrix noted that the closure led to queueing traffic and up to 40 minutes of delay, with around 4 miles of congestion in both directions. The M5 reopened later that morning after the incident was resolved, and the woman was safely taken into care.
