A serious road accident on the M5 in Somerset has caused major disruption for morning commuters and freight traffic, with the southbound carriageway completely shut between junction 22 (Burnham-on-Sea/Edithmead) and junction 23 (Puriton/Bridgwater North).
The crash, which involved a heavy goods vehicle and a car, triggered an immediate emergency response after reports of fuel spillage and barrier damage.
The incident happened in the early hours, but its impact quickly escalated into peak-hour chaos as traffic built up for miles. Drivers have faced long standstills, with delays stretching close to 90 minutes in some areas. Emergency crews continue working at the scene, while authorities focus on containing the diesel spill and clearing the damaged section of the motorway.
M5 Traffic: What Happened?
The M5 southbound has been fully closed after a serious collision brought traffic to a complete halt. Vehicles travelling between J22 and J23 were either trapped behind the incident or forced to divert onto alternative routes.
Traffic monitoring systems showed stationary queues forming rapidly after the crash, with congestion extending several miles back towards Burnham-on-Sea. Motorists reported long periods of no movement as emergency services secured the area.
National Highways confirmed that the closure is necessary due to safety risks linked to fuel leakage and barrier damage, both of which make the carriageway unsafe for public use.
M5 Traffic: What Caused the Crash on M5?
Authorities confirmed the crash involved a tanker (HGV) and a passenger car. The impact caused a significant diesel spill across the motorway, along with damage to the nearside barrier, increasing the risk level at the site.
National Highways stated, "The M5 in Somerset is closed southbound between J22 (Burnham on Sea) and J23 (Puriton) due to a serious collision involving an HGV and a car. A large diesel spill and nearside barrier damage have been confirmed as a result."
Emergency teams also confirmed that fuel leaked from the tanker's tractor unit, which required hazardous materials specialists to control and contain the spill. Although the crash was severe, officials confirmed there were no reports of anyone being trapped inside the vehicles.
M5 Traffic: Diversion Routes
Authorities have implemented a clearly marked diversion route using the solid diamond symbol to guide stranded and incoming traffic away from the closure zone. Drivers are advised to follow this route:
- Exit the M5 at Junction 22 (Burnham-on-Sea)
- Join the A38 (Bristol Road) heading southbound
- Continue until reaching the A39 via Down End
- Rejoin the M5 at Junction 23 (Puriton)
Officials have warned drivers not to rely on navigation shortcuts or rural roads, as these are already experiencing heavy congestion due to diverted motorway traffic.
M5 Traffic: Emergency Response and Official Statement
Emergency services responded quickly after receiving alerts around 04:30 am. Police, fire crews, and highway officers were all deployed to manage the situation and secure the area.
Devon and Somerset Fire and Rescue Service stated, "A number of fire resources were mobilised to the M5 after a call from Police requesting assistance at a road traffic collision.
On arrival, it was confirmed that no person was trapped, but the incident involved a fuel tanker, so additional resources were mobilised. Shortly after arrival at the incident, most resources were released.
There had been a fuel leak from the tractor unit of the tanker, so one crew and a hazardous materials officer are remaining on scene while they await the arrival of recovery vehicles.
The traffic backed up behind the incident, unable to get off the M5, has been released using lane 3, but after that, the road will remain closed." National Highways teams are also on-site assisting with traffic control, spill containment, and coordination of recovery operations.
M5 Traffic: Impact & Delays
The crash has caused severe disruption across a wide stretch of the motorway network. Traffic monitoring service Inrix reported congestion stretching up to five miles before the closure point near Junction 22.
Motorists experienced delays of up to 90 minutes, with many vehicles coming to a complete stop during peak travel time. Freight transport and long-distance commuters were among the worst affected.
Inrix stated, "M5 Southbound closed, severe delays due to accident, a tanker and a car involved and fuel spillage between J22 (Burnham-on-Sea) and J23 (Bridgwater North)."
Local roads around Somerset also saw increased traffic pressure as drivers attempted to avoid the motorway closure.
M5 Traffic: Current Situation
As of the latest updates, the M5 southbound remains fully closed between J22 and J23. Emergency teams continue working at the site to manage diesel contamination and ensure road safety.
Traffic that was previously trapped behind the incident has now been slowly released under controlled conditions. However, the main carriageway remains inaccessible to general traffic.
Highway authorities have warned that conditions around the area remain unstable due to fuel residue and ongoing cleanup operations.
M5 Traffic: When Will the Traffic Reopen?
No official reopening time has been confirmed yet. Authorities have stated that the motorway will only reopen once all safety conditions are met.
This includes full removal of diesel from the road surface, repair of damaged barriers, and completion of safety inspections. Given the scale of the spill and recovery work required, delays are expected to continue through the morning and potentially into later hours.
M5 Traffic: Recovery Work
Recovery operations are ongoing with multiple teams working simultaneously on-site. Specialists are focusing on containing and clearing the diesel spill, which poses a major hazard to vehicles.
Barrier repair crews are also assessing structural damage caused during the collision. Once the road surface is cleared and declared safe, vehicle recovery operations will proceed to remove the damaged HGV and car.
Authorities will then conduct a final safety inspection before gradually reopening the motorway to traffic.