M5 northbound and southbound as police close the motorway

Diversion routes are in place on the M5 due to a serious police incident in Somerset today, Thursday 4th July. The motorway is closed in both directions between junction 24 and junction 23 near Bridgwater. I have detailed the diversion routes at the bottom of this article.

According to the National Highways, the closure is scheduled to be in place “for some time”. Drivers have been urged to allow extra time for journeys.

National Highways said: “The M5 in Somerset is closed in both directions between J24 (Huntworth) and J23 near Bridgwater due to an incident led by Avon and Somerset Police.”

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“Traffic officers on national highways are present and assisting in traffic management. Due to the nature of the incident, the closure is expected to be in place for some time.”

The following diversion is in effect northbound:

• Leave the M5 northbound at J24 and take the first exit at the roundabout onto the A38
• Follow the A38 through Bridgewater to the A39 roundabout and take the 3rd exit onto the A39
• Continue on the A39 to the M5 roundabout J23 and take the first exit to join the M5 northbound

The following diversion is in effect southbound:

• Exit the M5 at J23.
• At the roundabout take the third exit onto the A39.
• At the Dunball roundabout take the first exit onto the A38 (Bristol Road) southbound.
• Continue along the A38 and at the junction with Taunton Road, the A38 turns left.
• Turn left onto Taunton Road to continue onto the A38.
• At the roundabout with Huntworth Lane, take the first exit onto Huntworth Lane.
• Rejoin the M5 at J24.

For all the latest updates from the M5, follow our live blog here and we’ll keep you posted.