The recent police incident on the M5 raised a critical question: how will this disruption affect traffic flow in Bristol? The M5 was closed in both directions between junction 18 for Avonmouth and junction 19 for Portbury, leading to significant delays.
As of now, the M5 has reopened, but long delays persist on the route. Congestion is reported to reach junction 20 for Clevedon northbound and junction 17 for Cribbs Causeway southbound, with traffic management systems indicating average speeds as low as five mph during the closure.
Local authorities implemented diversion routes to help manage the traffic flow during the incident. Additionally, the Clean Air Zone fines were temporarily suspended for the duration of the closure to alleviate the burden on motorists.
Motorists can expect delays of 30 to 45 minutes in both directions, with four miles of congestion reported northbound and three miles southbound. The incident, described as ‘welfare-related,’ brought all traffic to a standstill during the peak morning hours.
Drivers are advised to allow extra travel time and check real-time traffic updates. Those impacted by the closure and delays can reach out to the National Highways 24/7 Contact Centre at 0300 123 5000 for assistance or updates.
While the M5 has reopened, delays could persist even after the motorway has fully cleared, as traffic gradually returns to normal. Details remain unconfirmed regarding the full impact of the incident on overall traffic patterns in the area.