There are serious delays on the M5 today, Saturday May 25, as holidaymakers head south to enjoy the bank holiday weekends. We will keep you informed of the latest news in our live blog below.
There were major delays on both the M5 and M4 last night. Today, delays extend from Junction 14 of the M5 to Junction 20. There are also delays in the Bridgewater area around Junction 24.
Travel experts have warned drivers to expect further delays in and around major cities and coasts and have advised travelers to leave as early or late as possible to avoid the worst of the traffic jams.
RAC spokesperson Alice Simpson said: “Our research suggests this weekend could be the busiest weekend of the year so far on the roads, with millions of people heading out to make the most of the three days and, for people with school-age children, the beginning of the half-yearly holidays.
The southbound M5 is expected to be one of the busiest roads this weekend as visitors head to the picturesque West Country coast to enjoy the long weekend and school holidays. We will keep you informed of the latest news in our live blog below.
We will keep you informed in our live blog below.
13:10Maria Stenson
Heavy traffic after accident on main route through Plymouth
Wolseley Road in Plymouth is closed this afternoon (May 25) following an accident. There is a lot of traffic in the area and buses are being diverted.
Follow the live blog of this incident here.
11:55Maria Stenson
A30 traffic in Devon
Inrix reports: “A30 Honiton Road Westbound partially blocked, heavy traffic on M5 J29 (Exeter/Honiton).”
11:39Maria Stenson
Broken car cleared away on the M5 in Devon
Inrix reports: “M5 southbound lane reopened on slip road, defective vehicle removed at J29 A3015 Honiton Road (Exeter / Honiton).”
11:39Maria Stenson
Slow traffic in Cornwall after accident
The police were called this morning around 9:30 am to an accident involving two vehicles on the A30 near Plusha. No injuries have been reported, but the road is partially closed, causing heavy traffic in the area.
Follow the live blog of this incident here.
11:23Maria Stenson
Broken car causes traffic in Devon
Inrix reports: “M5 southbound lane closed on slip road, slow traffic due to vehicle breakdown on J29 A3015 Honiton Road (Exeter / Honiton).”
11:07Anita Merritt
Weather forecast for public holidays
10:43Key moment
List of cars banned from car parks in Devon
Certain cars have been banned from car parks in parts of Devon. These include Audi, BMW, Kia, Mercedes and Land Rover, which are too long for parking spaces and can cause obstacles. Full story from DevonLive.
10:34Key moment
Severe delays on the M5 southbound
Severe delays are being reported on the M5 southbound from junction 14 B4509 (Thornbury/Falfield) to junction 20 B3133 Ettlingen Way (Clevedon). According to traffic monitoring service Inrix, there are delays.
09:14Anita Merritt
Slow traffic on the M4 westbound
Holiday traffic is reported on the M4 Westbound Gloucestershire at Junction 20 and Junction 15 (Almondsbury Interchange).
08:15Oliver Astley
Congestion on the M5 southbound
National Highways reports congestion on the southbound carriageway of the M5 between junctions 14 and 15. There are delays of 10 minutes compared to expected traffic.
21:53Oliver Astley
Congestion on the A303 in Somerset
National Highways reports congestion on the A303 between Wincanton and Sparkford, in Somerset, between the road’s junctions with the A371 and the A359.
21:38Key moment
Road closed as woman is injured in caravan incident
A road in Devon has been closed after an incident involving a caravan left a woman seriously injured. It happened at around 6.30pm on Forches Avenue, in Barnstaple, Devon. Read the full story here.
20:31Oliver Astley
Traffic easing on the M4
Traffic is easing and all lanes are open on the M4 westbound from J19 M32 (Bristol) to J20 M5 J15 (Almondsbury Interchange), after one lane was closed due to a vehicle needing a tire changed. According to Inrix, a broken-down vehicle was recovered from the same stretch of highway.
20:20Key moment
Traffic cameras show large traffic jams
Severe traffic congestion continues on the southbound carriageway of the M5 motorway. A traffic camera at junction 18 shows bumper-to-bumper traffic.
19:36Oliver Astley
Lane closed due to vehicle tire change on the M4 westbound
Traffic queuing and one lane closed due to a vehicle tire change on the M4 westbound from J19 M32 (Bristol) to J20 M5 J15 (Almondsbury Interchange). This is separate from the previously broken vehicle.
18:42Oliver Astley
Crash in Devon
Traffic is heavy following a collision in Kennford, Devon, which has closed a lane of the A380. The accident happened on the eastbound carriageway before the junction with the A38 at Splatford Split at around 6.30pm.
18:18Oliver Astley
Reports of an accident on the A38 Bristol Road in Somerset
There are reports of very slow traffic following an accident on the A38 Bristol Road southbound before the A368 Bath Road (Churchill Gate), near Langford, in Somerset.
5:45 PMOliver Astley
Lane closure on the M4 westbound
National Highways and Inrix say a lane has been closed on the M4 westbound due to a defective vehicle. One lane of three is closed. The traffic situation is expected to return to normal around 7:15 PM this evening. UPDATE: The roadway reopened at 6:05 p.m.
17:28Oliver Astley
There are no planned road closures in the region this evening
National Highways reports there are no planned road closures in the south-west region this evening.
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17:12Oliver Astley
Holidaymakers warned of delays in Cornwall
There are a number of delays on roads across Cornwall this afternoon. There is slow traffic on the A30 eastbound at Carland Cross on the A39 due to roadworks and traffic congestion. The A38 southbound is partially blocked due to a defective vehicle before the junction with the A30 and an accident has occurred on the A390 at St Ann’s Chapel, near the Rifle Volunteer pub.
16:44Oliver Astley
20 minutes delay on M32
Inrix reports delays of 20 minutes on the M32: “Delays on the M32 and Newfoundland Way south towards Bristol city centre. Journey time is 20 minutes.”
16:09Key moment
One hour delay on the M5 southbound
Traffic and travel monitoring service Inrix said: “Traffic is queuing for 11 miles on the M5 southbound from J17 A4018 (Cribbs Causeway) to J20 B3133 Ettlingen Way (Clevedon). The journey time is approximately 60 minutes.”
3:30 PMShannon Brown
M4 crashes over the bridge
Severe delays due to an accident now on the emergency lane on the M4 Westbound between J26 A4051 (Malpas Road) and J27 B4591 Glasllwch Crescent (Highcross). Congestion to J23a (Magor Services). Traffic is also backed up on the other side because of the spectators. All lanes open.
15:29Shannon Brown
40 minutes delay on M4
Long delays and heavier traffic than normal on the M4 westbound at J20 M5 J15 (Almondsbury Interchange). The journey time is approximately 40 minutes.
15:29Shannon Brown
M5 delays
Traffic queuing on the M5 southbound at J20 B3133 Ettlingen Way (Clevedon). Usual delays on Friday.