M5 traffic RECAP: Closure both directions with 3 miles of queues as police rush to scene
Drivers on the motorway have been warned to expect long delays to their journeys.
A stretch of the M5 has been closed in both directions due to a "welfare-related incident", with emergency services at the scene. The incident is ongoing between junction 18 (Avonmouth) and junction 19 (Portbury), with drivers are warned of three miles of traffic.
Motorway camera footage shows vehicles at a standstill on the motorway. National Highways South West wrote on X: "The #M5 is blocked in both directions between J18 #Avonmouth and J19 #Portbury. This due to an @ASPRoadSafety led incident. Delays building, approx. 3 miles of congestion southbound and 2 miles northbound. Updates to follow soon.
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KEY EVENTS
AA route map showing no congestion
The AA route map is now showing no congestion on the affected section of the M5.
Police thank motorists for patience and understanding
Speaking on the official Avon and Somerset police X account, the force said:
"The M5 is now being fully reopened after the earlier incident was safely resolved. We'd like to thank motorists for their patience and understanding while officers worked to bring it to a safe conclusion."
The M5 is now being fully reopened after the earlier incident was safely resolved.
\u2014 Avon and Somerset Police (@ASPolice) March 17, 2026
We'd like to thank motorists for their patience and understanding while officers worked to bring it to a safe conclusion.
Delays eased
Delays appear to have eased with the most intense congestion at J21 cleared
"Long delays cleared, Earlier police incident on M5 Northbound from J20 B3133 Ettlingen Way ( Clevedon ) to J18 M49. Previous congestion to J21 ( Weston-super-mare ). All lanes have been re-opened."
Delays of 35 minutes
According to the AA route planner, severe delays of 35 minutes on M5 Northbound between J21 A370 (Weston-Super-Mare) and J19 A369 Martcombe Road (Portishead).
The darker red colour signifies the slowest moving traffic. Average speed is currently five mph.
Congestion pictured on the M5 J20-J19
Congestion shown on the M5 J20-J19
Carriageway closest to camera is northbound
Diverted drivers will not face Clean Air Zone Fines
National Highways has acknowledged that both routes will divert drivers through the Clean Air Zone, but said that Bristol City Council has "confirmed the Clean Air Zone has been switched off for this closure", meaning motorists will not face fines.
All lanes re-opened
All lanes are now being re-opened on the M5 in both directions between J18 Avonmouth and J19 Portbury
The earlier police led incident has been cleared.
There are still delays of approimately 30 minutes remain both ways, 4 miles of congestion northbound + 3 miles southbound.
All lanes are now being re-opened on the #M5 in both directions between J18 #Avonmouth and J19 #Portbury
\u2014 National Highways: South-West (@HighwaysSWEST) March 17, 2026
The earlier @ASPRoadSafety led incident has been cleared
Delays of approx. 30 minutes remain both ways, 4 miles of congestion northbound + 3 miles southbound pic.twitter.com/RV23GsM56o
M5 traffic still buidling
The image from a motorway camera shows traffic buidling at Junction 17
Highways diversion route
Delays are building in both directions - 45 minutes above normal northbound and 30 minutes southbound, on the approach to the diversion points.
Diversion RoutesSouthbound - Road users travelling on the M5 southbound are advised to follow the Hollow Circle symbol on road signs.
Exit the M5 at J18A onto the Avonmouth Spur road. Take the slip road towards Portway roundabout. Take the 2nd exit onto the A4. Continue south on the A4 (this will take you through the clean are zone, Bristol Council have confirmed the clean air zone has been switched off for this closure) to Gurney roundabout. Take the 1st exit onto the A4174 South Bristol Link road and continue until you reach Lime Kiln roundabout. Take the 3rd exit onto the A38. Continue south on the A38 to East Brent. At the East Brent roundabout, take the 1st exit onto Bristol Road. At the next roundabout, take the 1st exit to re-join the M5 at J22.
Northbound - Follow the solid triangle symbol
From J21 head east on the A370 Then continue north on the A4 (this will take you through the clean are zone, Bristol Council have confirmed the clean air zone has been switched off for this closure) Rejoin the M5 at J18A
If this closure impacts on your planned route please allow extra time. Plan ahead, you may wish to re-route or even delay your journey.
Further information is available from National Highways by visiting our www.trafficengland.com website and travel apps, or via our regional X feed.
Our 24/7 contact centre team is also available to provide up to the minute information on 0300 123 5000.
'Welfare-related incident'
Avon and Somerset Police have confirmed emergency services are at the scene and the incident is welfare related.
Motorist are urged to avoid the area as there is significant congestion.
The M5 is closed in both directions between junctions 18 (Avonmouth) and 19 (Portbury) due to a welfare-related incident.
\u2014 Avon and Somerset Police (@ASPolice) March 17, 2026
Emergency services are at the scene, however there is significant congestion in the area.
Motorists are advised to seek alternative routes. pic.twitter.com/s4RFV93wJE
Diversion details to follow
National Highways are about to release details of a diversion route. Drivers are urged to plan ahead of your journey if travelling in the area today.
3 miles of congestion
Drivers warned of three miles of traffic. The incident happened between junction 18 (Avonmouth) and junction 19 (Portbury).
National Highways South West wrote on X:
"The #M5 is blocked in both directions between J18 #Avonmouth and J19 #Portbury. This due to an @ASPRoadSafety led incident. Delays building, approx. 3 miles of congestion southbound and 2 miles northbound. Updates to follow soon."
The #M5 is blocked in both directions between J18 #Avonmouth and J19 #Portbury
\u2014 National Highways: South-West (@HighwaysSWEST) March 17, 2026
This due to an @ASPRoadSafety led incident
Delays building, approx. 3 miles of congestion southbound and 2 miles northbound
Updates to follow soon. pic.twitter.com/hDsaUUcBsS
Location
The incident occured on a stretch of the M5 between junction 18 (Avonmouth) and junction 19 (Portbury).
This area has been closed in both directions.
Police incident
A stretch of the M5 has been closed in both directions after what has been described as a "police incident" which happened between junction 18 (Avonmouth) and junction 19 (Portbury).
We will bring you more updates as they arrive.
