M5 fatal incident sees Somerset recycling collection chaos

Daniel Clark
·2-min read
Delays to recycling and rubbish collections following M5 closure
-Credit: (Image: Somerset Council)


Somerset Council is warning of delays to waste collections following the fatal death of a teenager on the M5.

Emergency services were called to the M5 between Taunton and Bridgwater at around 11pm on Monday, November 11 but the 17-year-old girl was pronounced dead. Her next of kin have been informed and are being supported by a specially trained officer.

Avon and Somerset Police referred the incident to the IOPC due to "prior police contact", the force said in a statement. The IOPC has since said the girl was being detained by officers at the time of the crash and had gotten out of a police van before a car struck her.

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The M5 was closed in both directions throughout the night and morning while an investigation was carried out at the scene, before being fully reopened by around 11am today (Tuesday, November 12). Avon and Somerset Police are now appealing for information from anyone who witnessed the crash.

Households in and around: Chard, Ilminster, Donyatt, Broadway, Horton, Churchstanton, Pitminster, Trull, Stoke St Mary, North Curry, Fivehead, Langport, Hatch Beauchamp, Stoke St Gregory may be affected. The associated road closures and congestion are unfortunately having an impact on collections of rubbish and recycling, a Somerset Council spokesperson said.

They added: "Crews will do their best to complete as many rounds as possible, however around 3,000 collections may need to be rescheduled. Residents are asked to leave their recycling and rubbish out if it is not collected by the end of today (Tuesday, 12 November). Crews will return tomorrow (Wednesday, 13 November) for any collections missed today.

"Additional crews will be helping in areas affected tomorrow, but it may mean that some households with collections due on Wednesday are impacted. Work to catch-up missed recycling during the week will cause delays and disruption across the county. Collections will roll on a day as needed, including with extra collections to take place on Saturday if needed."

If your recycling collection is delayed:

  • Many of the items in recycling can be squashed, crushed or flattened to make the most of the space in your containers.

  • Food waste caddies and bins should be kept somewhere cool and in the shade. If the food waste has to go it can be double-bagged and taken to the Energy from Waste skip at a recycling site or put in your rubbish bin.

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