A major motorway has been blocked off overnight after a serious multi-vehicle crash that saw one casualty airlifted to hospital.
The M5 in Somerset was shut to traffic in both directions overnight between Junction 24 (Bridgwater) and Junction 25 (Taunton), National Highways confirmed. While the northbound carriageway reopened at about 4am, the southbound carriageway remains shut and is expected to stay shut for some time.
Southbound lanes are closed to allow police to carry out crash scene investigations and are expected to stay shut until late morning, the highways authority said.
New UpdatesToday07:35 BST
Traffic maps show there are no delays on the M5 in Somerset following the closure of the southbound carriageway between Junction 24 at Huntworth and Junction 25 near Taunton. National Highways said earlier that all trapped traffic had been released.
The M5 in Somerset is shut southbound between junctions 24 and 25(Image: Google Maps)
All northbound traffic trapped in tonight’s closure on the M5 has now been released, National Highways has confirmed.
Trapped traffic on the southern carriageway is only just now beginning to be released from the blockade, with drivers being released from the rear end of the queue.The road is likely to remain closed for a while, National Highways warns.
Rachel Vickers-PriceToday07:05 BST
National Highways has confirmed a diversion route is in place for southbound commuters impacted by the M5 closure.
A spokesperson for the highway authority said: “Southbound traffic are advised to follow the route marked by the solid diamond diversion symbol, visible on local road signs.”
Here’s a full breakdown of the route:
- At J24 Huntworth Interchange exit the M5 taking the 3rd exit onto Huntworth Lane/A38.
- At the next immediate roundabout take the 1st exit onto Taunton Road/A38.
- Continue southbound on the A38 toward Taunton.
- At the A358/A38 interchange, turn left onto the A358 heading towards the M5.
- At M5 J25 Blackbrook Roundabout, take the 4th exit onto the M5 southbound.
Rachel Vickers-PriceToday07:05 BST
The M5 has been shut down overnight following a serious, multi-vehicle crash in Somerset. The motorway was closed off between J24 Huntworth and J25 Taunton to traffic in all directions. While northbound lanes have since reopened, the southbound carriageway remains closed.
Emergency crews raced to the scene in the early hours of Sunday morning (May 10), with one person airlifted from the scene.
Crash scene investigations are continuing, with police still at the scene.