A major incident has brought the M5 motorway to a complete standstill this afternoon after a heavy goods vehicle erupted in flames near Bristol, creating chaos for thousands of motorists.
Emergency Response in Full Force
Emergency services descended on the scene between junctions 16 and 17 southbound after receiving multiple reports of a fully-involved lorry fire. Dramatic footage shows thick black smoke billowing across the motorway, visible from miles away.
Avon and Somerset Police confirmed the full closure of the southbound carriageway, warning drivers to expect significant delays throughout the evening rush hour and beyond.
Traffic Gridlock Spreads
The closure has created a domino effect across the region's road network with traffic backing up for several miles. National Highways issued an urgent warning advising motorists to avoid the area completely if possible.
Alternative routes are already experiencing heavy congestion as satnav systems redirect vehicles through surrounding towns and villages.
Current Situation:
- Full closure of M5 southbound between J16 and J17
- Northbound carriageway affected by smoke and rubbernecking
- Emergency services including multiple fire crews on scene
- Recovery operations expected to take several hours
- Severe delays building on approach routes
Travel Advice for Motorists
Drivers are being urged to allow extra time for journeys and consider postponing non-essential travel through the area. Those already caught in queues are advised to remain patient and keep updated via official traffic channels.
National Highways stated: "We anticipate the carriageway will remain closed for a considerable time while firefighting and recovery operations take place. Please plan ahead if travelling in the Bristol area this evening."
The incident serves as a stark reminder of the vulnerability of key transport corridors and the rapid impact such emergencies can have on regional traffic flow.
