Severe delays on the M5 as police incident unfolds

Motorists are facing severe delays on the M5, with tailbacks of up to an hour and a half in both directions near Bridgwater, Somerset. An ongoing incident has led to the closure of the motorway between junctions 23 and 24, with no clear indication of when it will reopen.

National Highways anticipates that normal traffic flow may not resume until after 6pm today.

The disruption has caused several miles of queues leading up to the scene, with trapped vehicles being redirected and diversions causing additional congestion on alternative routes.

Inrix, the traffic and travel monitoring service, has reported: "M5 in both directions closed, long delays due to police incident from J23 A39 (Bridgwater North) to J24 A38 Taunton Road (Bridgwater South). Congestion to North J25 (Taunton) and South Sedgemoor Services. The A39 that runs through Bridgwater and Knowle is also very slow."

"Cameras shows trapped traffic within the closure is still being turned around, traffic was held before midday. The A372 Westonzoyland Road is also closed. Diversions northbound via the A38 towards Bridgwater and southbound via the A39 towards Dunball Roundabout."

People stuck within the closure area have been spotted exiting their vehicles. According to National Highways, there is stationary traffic stretching back to Taunton on the northbound carriageway and queues reaching Edithmead southbound.