Traffic bulletin: Drivers advised to plan journeys following M5 incident in North Somerset

The southbound and northbound carriageways have been closed between junctions 22 (Burnham-on-Sea) and 23 (Bridgwater) to allow police and the fire service to deal with an incident involving a lorry fire.

The incident occurred on the southbound carriageway at 9.21am and with the LGV carrying potentially hazardous chemicals, National Highways is advising drivers in trapped traffic to stay in their vehicles while the fire service work to extinguish the fire.

Northbound traffic is currently being diverted from junction 23 via the A38 and A39 to rejoin the M5 at junction 22, with the southbound diversion in reverse, and with congestion in both directions, drivers planning to use the M5 are advised to avoid the area and consider alternate routes.

National Highways is working with the emergency services, and with trapped traffic being released before the carriageways can be opened, residual delays will remain for some time.

Up-to-date travel information is available from National Highways by visiting www.trafficengland.com and Twitter updates are also available at @HighwaysSWEST. For urgent real-time assistance, the company's 24/7 contact centre team is able to provide up-to-the minute information on 0300 123 5000.

Notes to Editors

National Highways is the wholly government-owned company responsible for modernising, maintaining and operating England's motorways and major A roads.

Real-time traffic information for England's motorways and major A roads is available via the Traffic England website, local and national radio travel bulletins, electronic road signs and mobile apps. Local Twitter services are also available.

For further information please contact National Highways' press office (24hrs) on 0844 693 1448 and select the most appropriate option:

Option 1: National enquiries (9am to 5.30pm) and out of hours for urgent enquiries
Option 2: North West (9am to 5.30pm)
Option 3: Yorkshire and North East (9am to 5.30pm)
Option 4: West Midlands (9am to 5.30pm)
Option 5: East Midlands (9am to 5.30pm)
Option 6: East (9am to 5.30pm)
Option 7: South East (9am to 5.30pm)
Option 8: South West (9am to 5.30pm)