Yahoo News M5 reopens after serious incident but 90 minute delays remain
An incident which closed the M5 in both directions has been 'safely resolved', police have said. The motorway was closed between between Bridgwater and Huntworth this morning (Monday, July 1) following while Avon and Somerset Police officers responded to reports of concern for the welfare of a man on the motorway.
Officers were called to the scene at around 10am, alongside other emergency services workers, and the road was closed in both directions. Vehicles were stationary on the road into the afternoon, prompting some motorists to get out of their cars and stroll across the motorway. Six miles of tailbacks in each direction were reported.
A spokesperson for Avon and Somerset Police said the road was reopened by 12.30pm, when the matter had been safely resolved. Despite the motorway reopening, severe delays remain on the motorway and these are likely to continue through the afternoon.
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Avon and Somerset Police said: "We were called at 10.06am to reports of concern for the welfare of a man on the M5 between junctions 23 (Bridgwater) and 24 (Huntworth).
“Officers attended alongside emergency services colleagues and closed the motorway in both directions. It was reopened by 12.30pm after the incident was safely resolved.”
Traffic was diverted around the closure as vehicles stuck within were turned around and released. Some people left their cars and vans to stretch their legs along the motorway, sparking a warning from National Highways. Highways said, in a post on social media: "The police incident will shortly be resolved, however the #M5 will remain closed both ways between J23 ( #Bridgwater ) & J24 ( #Huntworth ) for some time yet due to a large number of pedestrians walking around the motorway. Please return to your vehicle so the road can be re-opened."
Severe delays remain on the motorway and these are likely to continue through the afternoon. Highways traffic maps shows traffic queues between Taunton and Weston-super-Mare. Traffic monitor Inrix adds: "Severe delays due to earlier incident on M5 in both directions from J24 A38 Taunton Road (Bridgwater South) to J23 A39 (Bridgwater North).
"Congestion to Northbound before J25 (Taunton) and Southbound before Sedgemoor Services, heavily congested along the earlier diversion routes. Camera shows Northbound now released around 12:45 and Southbound traffic was released around 12:25."
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