A two-vehicle crash on the southbound M5 near Bristol caused severe disruption on Monday afternoon. Emergency services were called to the scene between junction 19 for Portishead and junction 20 for Clevedon at around 1.20pm. Police, ambulance crews and Highways England officers attended, and traffic was halted to allow them to work.
One person was taken to Southmead Hospital in Bristol as a precaution. All lanes were cleared and the motorway reopened shortly after 2.30pm, but not before motorists faced stationary traffic for up to 90 minutes. There were reports of drivers getting out of their cars, walking dogs and even juggling while stuck in the queues.
A second multi-vehicle incident on the M5 at the junction with the M49 also blocked the road, adding to the disruption. Highways England reported that delays of around 50 minutes remained, with congestion stretching back to junction 17. Drivers were advised to avoid the area or consider alternative routes.
Highways England initially said normal traffic conditions were expected between 4.00pm and 4.15pm, but later revised this to between 3.15pm and 3.30pm. Motorists who had left their vehicles were urged to return to their cars as traffic was released past the scene.
