A serious multi-vehicle collision has thrown the M5 motorway into chaos, causing severe disruption for thousands of drivers during a busy travel period.
The incident, involving several cars, occurred on the southbound carriageway between Junction 25 (Taunton) and Junction 26 (Wellington) in Somerset. Emergency services, including police, fire crews, and ambulance teams, were swiftly dispatched to the scene to attend to the situation and those involved.
Severe Delays and Miles of Tailbacks
The aftermath of the crash led to the complete closure of the southbound carriageway for several hours. This resulted in miles of stationary traffic and significant tailbacks, with delays estimated to be over 90 minutes at their peak.
National Highways issued a severe delay warning, urging motorists to allow extra journey time if travel was absolutely essential. Long queues formed on the approach to the closure, with congestion stretching back towards Bridgwater.
Diversions and Travel Advice
To manage the gridlock, a formal diversion route was established. Traffic was advised to follow the hollow triangle symbol, exiting the M5 at J25, taking the A358 towards Taunton, then the A38 towards Wellington, before re-joining the M5 at J26.
Drivers caught in the delays faced a frustrating wait, with many abandoning their journeys or seeking alternative routes on already congested local roads.
Recovery and Road Reopening
Recovery vehicles worked diligently to clear the damaged vehicles from the carriageway. Once the scene was cleared and investigators had completed their initial work, all lanes were gradually reopened.
However, traffic returned to normal very slowly, with residual delays affecting the area for the remainder of the day. Motorists were advised to check live traffic conditions before setting out on their journeys.
