Drivers have been warned of severe delays on a major motorway after emergency road repairs have caused traffic to halt and huge congestion pile-ups.
Motorists travelling northbound on the M5 in Somerset face delays of more than three hours this afternoon as emergency repairs to the road surface force extensive lane restrictions on the Avonmouth Bridge.
The closure has impacted three out of four lanes between junction 19 for Portishead and junction 18 for Bristol and has created a traffic queue stretching back eight miles.
National Highways confirmed the severe disruption began after an infrastructure defect was identified earlier today, prompting immediate repair work.
Three out of four lanes have been closed while National Highways undertakes emergency road repairs
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NATIONAL HIGHWAYS
The congestion now extends as far back as junction 20, with drivers now bearing the brunt of the significant delays.
The situation deteriorated throughout the day, with initial reports at 10.57am showing two lanes blocked due to an infrastructure defect, causing 30-minute delays and four miles of queuing traffic.
All lanes reopened briefly at 11.57am, although delays had already increased to 60 minutes with congestion extending to 10 miles.
Once traffic volumes decreased, authorities closed three lanes at 1.57pm to begin necessary repairs, initially without major delays.
Drivers are currently facing 13 miles of congestion
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NATIONAL HIGHWAYS
However, by 2.01pm, waiting times had climbed to 45 minutes with seven miles of backed-up vehicles, before escalating to the current severe conditions affecting the busy Sunday route between Portishead and Bristol.
Drivers affected by the closures have now been advised to consider alternative routes or postpone their journeys where possible.
National Highways shared on X: “There’s now 13 MILES of congestion on the M5 northbound in Somerset.
“This is due to three lanes which are closed on the Avonmouth Bridge between J19 (Portishead) and J18 (Bristol) for emergency road surface repairs. Queuing traffic is now back to J21 at Weston.”
A spokesperson for Bristol Airport wrote on X: “Traffic information; Junction 18-19 North-bound M5 is closed, estimated to be closed until early evening.
“An update will be provided. Please seek alternative routes to the Airport. Thank you.”
According to the RAC, some junctions on the motorway tend to get busier than others, with Avonmouth Bridge often becoming a traffic bottleneck.
To reduce congestion, the bridge was widened to four lanes each way in 2004, although this has led to more traffic being held when there are delays.
Drivers have been warned to expect more than two hours of delays this afternoon
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NATIONAL HIGHWAYS
The RAC shared: “The M5 has unfortunately been the scene of several major accidents in recent years. So, firstly, if you’re planning to drive on the motorway, stay vigilant and stay safe.
“Secondly, make sure you receive M5 traffic updates to learn of any developing accidents and make arrangements to avoid getting caught up in the aftermath.
“The stretch of motorway between junctions 19 and 20, and junctions 13 and 14, has seen several accidents in recent years.”
