A major motorway has been blocked by police, with the carriageway closed in both directions following a serious crash.
Drivers have been urged to avoid the M5 near Somerset. A closure remains in place between Junction 20 for Clevedon and Junction 21 for Weston-super-Mare in both directions, although one northbound lane has since reopened.
Avon and Somerset Police are leading the response, with emergency services and National Highway traffic officers also on scene, SomersetLive reports. Firefighters were seen dousing flames on the motorway.
This is an ongoing incident and you can follow the latest in our live blog down below.
One lane has reopened northbound on the M5, according to traffic monitoring site Inrix.
Inrix reported: "Long delays and two lanes closed due to police incident on M5 Northbound from J21 A370 ( Weston-super-mare ) to J20 B3133 Ettlingen Way ( Clevedon ). Congestion to the A370 between Weston and Backwell along the diversion route as traffic leaves at J21. Southbound is also closed J19-21."
National Highways said: "The event is expected to clear between 11:15 and 11:30 on 1 December 2025."
Drivers are urged to avoid the M5 near Somerset due to a police-led incident. A closure is now in place in both directions between Junction 20 for Clevedon and Junction 21 for Weston-super-Mare.
It follows a crash near Weston-super-Mare at around 11.05pm, Avon and Somerset Police said.
Drivers heading northbound are advised to exit at J21 and use the A370 and A4 to rejoin the M5 at J18.
Motorists heading southbound are advised to follow the Hollow Circle diversion symbol, exiting at J18 and travelling via the A4 and A38 before rejoining the M5 at J22.
National Highways have issued an updated directive for any motorists travelling southbound.
"Road users are advised to follow the Hollow Circle diversion symbol on road signs," a spokesperson said. Find the full updated diversion route below.
National Highways added in a statement: "Please note that cars and lighter vehicles, if required, can head southbound to the J19, then head south-east on the A369 to Leigh Woods, then A370 south-west to Long Ashton, then south on the A4174, then south on the A38 to J22."
A National Highways spokesperson has advised northbound road users to follow the Solid Triangle diversion symbol on road signs for this morning's closures of the M5. See below for full details.
National Highways added that "the Bristol Clean Air Charge has been suspended for the duration of this closure".
The M5 in Somerset is closed northbound between J21 near Weston-super-Mare and J20 near Clevedon due to a Police led incident. Southbound is closed from J19 to J21. Avon and Somerset Police are carrying out investigations at the scene.
As per National Highways data, restoration timeframes are now sitting at an estimation of 10am.
Travellers heading to and from Bristol Airport this morning will likely be affected by the disruption, National Highways has warned.
The road remains closed due to the police incident.
The M5 closure in Somerset will remain in place for hours to come, National Highways have said.
National Highway charts indicate an estimated restoration time of approximatley 8.30am.
A spokesperson advised motorists to be aware of closures as they hit the roads this Sunday morning.
https://x.com/HighwaysSWEST/status/1995335378081812523
"If this closure impacts on your planned route, please allow extra journey time. Plan ahead, you may wish to re-route or even delay your journey," they said.
Motorists can expect delays to carry on well into Sunday morning, with National Highways data indicating traffic officers have provided a restoration timeframe of about 7.30am.
Traffic officers are at the scene to assist police during an ongoing incident at the M5 in Somerset. As a result, the carriageway is closed northbound between J21 near Weston-super-Mare and J20 near Clevedon. Southbound is closed from J19 to J21.
National Highways have confirmed that southbound motorists now cannot access the M5 from J19 due to an ongoing police incident.
Emergency crews are at the scene, with all lanes of the major motorway closed off in both directions. The incident occurred at approx. 11.05pm on Sunday (November 30), National Highways said.
National Highways reiterated that motorists should avoid the area.
"Road users are advised to follow the Hollow Circle diversion symbol on road signs," National Highways said in a statement seen by the Somerset Live.
"Exit the M5 southbound at J18, head south on the A4, then the A38, (and) re-join the M5 at J22."
Closures of the M5 have been extended to include a new stretch of road, National Highways data reveals, with southbound access now also blocked from junction 19.
Southbound motorists are now unable to access the carriageway past Gordano Services. The latest inclusion adds to the southbound closure already in place for the M5 between junctions J20 and J21.
The diversion – including its latest addition – will remain in place for hours to come, with normal traffic conditions expected by 5.30am.
National Highways have initiated diversion protocols due to a closure of the M5 in both directions in Somerset. Emergency crews are at the scene between J21 near Weston-super-Mare and J20 near Clevedon.
A National Highways spokesperson said that road users should adhere to the Solid Triangle diversion formation, which can be seen on road signs, if travelling north.
“Road users are advised to follow the Solid Triangle diversion symbol on road signs,” they said.
Exit the M5 northbound at J2,1, join the A370 north/east towards Bristol, travel north on the A370 through Congresbury, West Town and Long Ashton, in Bristol and the A370 junction with the A4, join the A4 westbound.
“Follow the A4 westbound towards Avonmouth (and) at Avonmouth rejoin the M5 at J18.”
The M5 in Somerset is closed in both directions between J21 near Weston-super-Mare and J20 near Clevedon due to a Police led incident. For those travelling south, National Highways have initiated a different protocol for motorists due to the M5 closure.
A National Highways spokesperson said that road users should adhere to the Hollow Circle symbol road signs if travelling south.
The diversion protocol is as follows:
The M5 in Somerset is closed in both directions between J21 near Weston-super-Mare and J20 near Clevedon due to a police-led incident, National Highways have confirmed. Diversions are now in place, with traffic officers at the scene to assist those caught in the road closure.
A spokesperson from National Highways advised motorists to think ahead if they are planning to use the M5. "If this closure impacts on your planned route, please allow extra journey time," they said.
"Plan ahead, you may wish to re-route or even delay your journey."
Emergency crews are at the scene of a now-fully closed down M5 in Somerset. Avon and Somerset Police are leading the response to an incident currently unfolding between junctions 20 and 21; or Weston-super-Mare and Clevedon respectively.
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