The M5 southbound has been thrown into chaos this Thursday afternoon following a crash between junctions 13 and 14 near Michaelwood Services, as millions of holidaymakers begin their Easter getaway. The RAC reports nearly 21 million journeys are planned for the four-day weekend, with the South West a key destination.
Traffic monitoring site Inrix reported the crash at 1.57pm, causing partial blockage and queuing traffic. National Highways later confirmed delays of 40 minutes on the southbound carriageway between junctions 13 and 14. Emergency services attended the scene, with police confirming one person suffered injuries after a car overturned in a separate incident on the A380 earlier.
Further disruption includes queueing traffic on the M5 southbound at junction 18 with the M49, and on the M4 between junctions 19 and 20 after a two-vehicle crash. On the A38 westbound towards Cornwall, travel times have increased by 30 minutes near the Tamar Bridge, while temporary traffic lights on the A38 Bristol Road are causing queues in both directions.
Fuel shortages have added to the frustrations, with Sedgemoor Services reporting no diesel at lorry pumps and a Sainsbury’s petrol station in Bristol seeing drivers queuing and jostling for position. National Highways advises drivers to expect continued delays as the Easter exodus intensifies.
