Nationwide Highways has warned drivers face vital delays to their journeys.
An enormous gas tanker crash on the M5 has sparked delays of greater than two hours (Picture: NATIONAL HIGHWAYS)
Drivers on the M5 are dealing with site visitors following a critical crash. The stretch of the key motorway in Somerset is closed southbound between junction 22 (Edithmead) and junction 23 (Puriton).
Emergency companies rushed to the scene. Drivers have been warned to count on delays of round 150 minutes, and eight miles of site visitors on method. They’ve additionally been suggested to plan forward and permit further time for his or her journey. Motorway site visitors cameras present site visitors at a standstill on the impacted part of the motorway. Nationwide Highways mentioned in an announcement: “The M5 in Somerset is closed southbound between J22 (Burnham on Sea) and J23 (Puriton) on account of a critical collision involving a HGV and a automotive. A big diesel spill and nearside barrier harm has been confirmed consequently.
“Site visitors caught inside the closure has been launched. A substitute tanker is at scene and the gas is at present being transferred. Approx. 200 metres of nearside barrier harm can be being repaired at scene. There are at present 150 minute delays, with 8 miles of congestion on the method to J22.”
2 days in the past19:15 Rebecca Robinson
M5 stays closed amid extreme delays
Site visitors monitoring service Inrix mentioned: “M5 – SOMERSET – SOUTHBOUND M5 Southbound closed, extreme delays on account of restoration work, earlier accident, a tanker and a automotive concerned and gas spillage between J22 ( Burnham-on-sea ) and J23 (Bridgwater North).
“Congestion to J21 ( Weston-super-mare ). Site visitors can be heavy on A38 Bristol Street and A39 Puriton Hill on account of diversion.”
2 days in the past19:06 Rebecca Robinson
‘Caught with a toddler for five hours’
Chenice Zennadi says she’s been caught within the site visitors together with her toddler for 5 hours, and has run out of bottles.
She informed the Categorical: “Been caught right here 5 hours with a toddler no warning indicators approaching as said no bottles for the newborn rang the police, and freeway company and they won’t assist disgusted!”
2 days in the past18:58 Rebecca Robinson
‘Site visitors is immense and never shifting’
Dylan Ross says the primary day of his vacation “is ruined” after encountering the site visitors almost six hours in the past.
He informed the Categorical: “We began our journey from the West Midlands at 10:30am. We hit the gridlocked site visitors at round 1pm. We managed to get to the Sedgemoor Providers at 5pm.
“We didn’t need to, because the queue can be horrible to get onto the motorway once more however we had ran out of meals and drinks and wanted the bathroom.
“The site visitors is immense and isn’t shifting. We have to get to the coast close to Exeter and it appears to be like like we received’t attain Exeter till the following day now, that means the day considered one of our vacation is ruined.
“This has been a proper catastrophe in managing this. Different highway customers won’t have made the choice to come back to the companies and can be with out the usage of a bathroom or meals/drink.”
2 days in the past18:40 Rebecca Robinson
‘We have been right here for 7 hours’
Matt Arnold has been sat within the M5 queue for a whopping seven hours, and says he is “fearing the worst”. He informed the Categorical: “Been sat right here for 7 hours water is sparse and we’re fearing the worst.”
Nationwide Highways mentioned in its newest replace: “Delays stay at 5 hours with 14 miles of congestion on the method to the #M5 south between J22 #Edithmead and J23 #Puriton Present estimated time for reopening is now 19:00. Additional delays in extra of 1hr on the diversion.”
2 days in the past18:13 Rebecca Robinson
Bought footage to share?
I will be taking up the weblog for the night, so please ship any photographs from the scene to rebecca.robinson@reachplc.com
2 days in the past17:55 Lauran O’Toole
Motorist shares reside picture
A motorist alongside the M5 has shared the next picture with the Categorical of the closely congested site visitors.
Closely congested site visitors alongside the M5 (Picture: Bernard Rooney)
The picture under reveals ongoing efforts to clear the incident on the scene.
Ongoing efforts to clear the scene proceed (Picture: Site visitors Cameras UK) 2 days in the past17:43 Lauran O’Toole
‘This has been dealt with in a diabolical method’, says motorist
One aggrevated consumer has taken to X to vent their frustration at being caught for “8-9 hours”.
The motorist wrote on X: “Completely unacceptable state of affairs you bought individuals on that motorway who’ve been caught for 8-9 hours with no water or methods of going to the bathroom.
“This has been dealt with in a diabolical method.”
Completely unacceptable state of affairs you bought individuals on that motorway who’ve been caught for 8-9 hours with no water or methods of going to the bathroom. This has been dealt with in a diabolical method. Whoever is managing this I counsel you get a brand new job. ud83eudd2c
u2014 chris stockham (@stockhambrfc) Could 5, 2026
2 days in the past17:36 Lauran O’Toole
Diversion route
Here’s a reminder of the diversion route:
Exit the M5 at J22 and on the roundabout take the primary exit on to the A38 (Bristol Street) Proceed on the A38 southbound for six miles to the roundabout with the the A39 Take the primary exit on to the A39 in direction of J23 of the M5 On the J22 roundabout take the third exit to re-join the M5 J23 southbound 2 days in the past17:25 Lauran O’Toole
‘Delays now 4 hours a minimum of’ says motorist
Motorist Bernard Rooney has informed the Categorical that “delays are actually 4 hours a minimum of”.
He added: “I’ve achieved two miles in an hour and nonetheless six miles from diversion route.”
2 days in the past17:07 Lauran O’Toole
Delays hit 5 hours
There’s at present a 5-hour delay with 14 miles of congestion approaching Junction 22. Important delays are additionally being skilled on the diversion route detailed under.
The Nationwide Highways count on the highway to stay closed all through this afternoon and thru the night peak journey interval.
2 days in the past16:52 Lauran O’Toole
Motorist shares reside picture of site visitors
Here’s a reside picture a motorist has shared with the Categorical displaying the closely congested site visitors.
The motorist fears she may very well be dealing with as much as eight hours on the motorway, with some drivers already ready that lengthy.
Stay picture of site visitors alongside the M5 (Picture: Sarah Mitchell)
Right here is the most recent assertion from the Nationwide Highways:
“The M5 south between J22 Edithmead and J23 Puriton stays closed following an earlier gas tanker collision.
“Presently spillage is being handled, restoration of the tanker awaits.
“Delays of approx. 3hours, 8 miles of congestion.
“Additional delays of approx. 1hr on the diversion.”
The #M5 south between J22 #Edithmead and J23 #Puriton stays closed following an earlier gas tanker collision
Presently spillage is being handled, restoration of the tanker awaits
Delays of approx. 3hours, 8 miles of congestion
Additional delays of approx. 1hr on the diversion pic.twitter.com/JcdtDGT495
u2014 Nationwide Highways: South-West (@HighwaysSWEST) Could 5, 2026
2 days in the past16:39 Lauran O’Toole
Motorist caught in site visitors since 12.30
A motorist caught up within the congestion has been caught since 12.30.
The motorist informed the Categorical: “Simply to say it’s excess of 3 hours.
“We have been at junction 21 at 12.30 and nonetheless round 6 miles to junction 22”
2 days in the past16:29 Lauran O’Toole
Delays of now three hours with eight miles of congestion
There are actually delays of three hours with eight miles of congestion.
Delays have now hit 2 hours and 47 minutes between J21 A370 (Weston-Tremendous-Mare) and J22 (Burnham-On-Sea), in line with the AA.
The darkish pink traces within the under map element the extreme delays.
Extreme delays between J21 and J22 (Picture: AA) 2 days in the past14:43 Astha Saxena
Specialist crews on scene
A substitute tanker has arrived on the scene, and crews are actually working to switch the 32,000‑litre load from the broken car.
The tanker can’t be recovered till it has been absolutely emptied, and specialist groups on website say the offloading course of will take a number of hours to finish.
2 days in the past14:37 Astha Saxena
Street to stay closed by the night
Nationwide Highways mentioned that the highway will stay closed all through this afternoon and thru the night peak journey interval.
It mentioned: “A substitute tanker is at scene. Work is underway to take away the 32,000 litre load from the broken tanker. Restoration of the tanker can’t be carried out till is unloaded. Specialist crews on scene advise the removing of the load will take a number of hours.
“There are at present 180 minute delays, with 9 miles of congestion on the method to J22. There’s extra lengthy delays on the diversion route detailed under.
“We count on the highway to stay closed all through this afternoon and thru the night peak journey interval.”
2 days in the past14:19 Astha Saxena
M5 stays closed
Nationwide Highways mentioned: “The M5 southbound between J22 Edithmead and J23 Puriton stays closed following an earlier gas tanker incident.
“Clear up work is ongoing. Delays of round 2 hours half-hour proceed, with approx. 8 miles of congestion on method.
“Please permit further journey time.”
The #M5 southbound between J22 #Edithmead and J23 #Puriton stays closed following an earlier gas tanker incident.
Clear up work is ongoing. Delays of round 2 hours half-hour proceed, with approx. 8 miles of congestion on method.
Please permit further journey time. pic.twitter.com/TMbDMANqdS
u2014 Nationwide Highways: South-West (@HighwaysSWEST) Could 5, 2026
3 days in the past13:00 Astha Saxena
Delay continues
The site visitors state of affairs on the M5 has turned extra chaotic, with delays rising to 180 minutes.
In an replace, Nationwide Highways mentioned: “There are at present 180 minute delays, with 9 miles of congestion on the method to J22.”
3 days in the past12:32 Astha Saxena
Diversion path to observe: A reminder
Street customers are suggested to observe the Strong Diamond diversion image on highway indicators.
Exit the M5 at J22 then take the A38 (Bristol Street) Proceed on the A38 southbound then take the A39 (Down Finish) Re-join the M5 J23 southbound
Drivers on the M5 are dealing with site visitors chaos following a critical crash.The stretch of the key motorway in Somerset is closed southbound between junction 22 (Edithmead) and junction 23 (Puriton).Drivers have been warned to count on delays of round 150 minutes, and eight miles of site visitors on method.
3 days in the past11:45 Astha Saxena
Substitute tanker is on the scene
Based on Nationwide Highways, round 200 metres of nearside barrier harm can be being repaired at scene.
It mentioned: “A substitute tanker is at scene.”
3 days in the past10:46 Astha Saxena
Nationwide Highways share an replace
Nationwide Highways mentioned in an replace: “Extreme delays in extra of two hours half-hour on the M5 southbound between J22 Edithmead and J23 Puriton following an earlier incident involving a gas tanker.
“Resurfacing and barrier repairs are required. Plan forward, it’s possible you’ll want to re-route and even delay your journey.”
Extreme delays in extra of two hours half-hour on the #M5 southbound between J22 #Edithmead and J23 #Puriton following an earlier incident involving a gas tanker.
Resurfacing and barrier repairs are required.
Plan forward, it’s possible you’ll want to re-route and even delay your journey. pic.twitter.com/NybM2FArnV
u2014 Nationwide Highways: South-West (@HighwaysSWEST) Could 5, 2026
A spokesperson for Devon and Somerset Hearth and Rescue mentioned: “A variety of hearth sources have been mobilised to the M5 after a name from Police requesting help at a highway site visitors collision.
“On arrival it was confirmed no individuals have been trapped however the incident concerned a gas tanker so extra sources have been mobilised. Shortly after arrival on the incident, most sources have been launched.
“There had been a gas leak from the tractor unit of the tanker so one crew and a hazardous supplies officer are remaining on scene whereas they await the arrival of restoration autos.
“The site visitors backed up behind the incident unable to get off the M5 has been launched utilizing lane 3 however after that, the highway will stay closed.”
3 days in the past09:41 Astha Saxena
Delays of two hours now
In an replace, Nationwide Highways mentioned that the listed here are at present 120 minute delays, with six miles of congestion on the method to J22.
3 days in the past08:39 Astha Saxena
Clear-up crews and HGV restoration on the scene
Replying to a question on X, Nationwide Highways mentioned that clean-up crews and HGV restoration.
One of many customers requested: “How lengthy will this probably go on for? Any probability of opening the motorway at this time?”
Nationwide Highways responded: “Hiya, thanks on your message. Clear-up crews and HGV restoration are actually on scene. I’m unable to present a timeframe at current, however there’s a powerful chance the highway will reopen later at this time. We’ll replace our web page as quickly because it does.”
3 days in the past08:09 Astha Saxena
‘Important diesel spillage’ recognized
In an replace, Nationwide Highways mentioned: “A major diesel spillage has been recognized.”
Following an earlier HGV collision on the #M5 southbound between J22 #Edithmead and J23 #Puriton service suppliers are on scene assessing.
A major diesel spillage has been recognized.
Count on delays of round 90 minutes and approx. 5 miles of congestion on method. pic.twitter.com/5E30IAdz7n
u2014 Nationwide Highways: South-West (@HighwaysSWEST) Could 5, 2026
3 days in the past08:05 Astha Saxena
Diversion path to observe
Street customers are suggested to observe the Strong Diamond diversion image on highway indicators.
Exit the M5 at J22 then take the A38 (Bristol Street) Proceed on the A38 southbound then take the A39 (Down Finish) Re-join the M5 J23 southbound 3 days in the past08:03 Astha Saxena
How lengthy is the congestion?
Based on Nationwide Highways, there’s a congestion of upto 5 miles on the motorway.
Motorists are dealing with delays of 90 minutes, Nationwide Highways mentioned.
3 days in the past07:51 Astha Saxena
When did the incident occur?
Nationwide Highways mentioned: “Shortly earlier than 04:30hrs Nationwide Highways have been made conscious of a critical collision. Police, emergency companies together with Devon and Somerset Hearth and Rescue are at present on scene.”
3 days in the past07:50 Astha Saxena
What has occurred?
The M5 in Somerset is closed southbound between J22 (Burnham on Sea) and J23 (Puriton) on account of a critical collision involving a HGV and a automotive.
A big diesel spill and nearside barrier harm has been confirmed consequently.
Good morning. I’m Astha Saxena and I shall be bringing you all the most recent developments on the incident. Please be happy to get in contact with me as I work. When you have a narrative or tricks to share, please attain out to me at:Electronic mail id: astha.saxena@reachplc.comTwitter: @asthasaxena88
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