Half-term getaway hell as M5 closed & drivers forced to abandon cars in FIVE HOUR standstill queues after lorry fire
FAMILIES are facing half-term getaway hell after a huge lorry fire closed a major motorway sparking five-hour queues.
Drivers are abandoning their cars in the middle of the road after both lanes of the M5 were closed between junction 22 at Edithmead, and junction 23 at Dunball at 9.30 this morning.
National Highways South West advised motorists to remain in their vehicles for safety as drivers watched thick black smoke billow into the sky.
The northbound carriageway has now reopened, but the motorway is still blocked southbound while Devon and Somerset Fire and Rescue try to put out the blaze.
Tailbacks along the stretch are reaching back for hours in both directions with some abandoning their cars to play football on the carriageway.
Half-term in England is starts this weekend until November 1, with millions of Brits going away for a break – including those hoping to get a head start on the traffic this morning.
FED-UP
Fed-up families have also been spotted getting up and walking around to stretch their legs with their pets.
Heart-stopping footage shows a man inside the lorry cab as the flames erupt while the HGV is parked up on the hard shoulder.
He then leaps out and jogs to safety as the fire grows bigger.
Have you been affected by this incident? Email ryan.merrifield@thesun.co.uk
Kelly Jakeman, 29, an admin assistant, from Stourbridge, Birmingham, has been stuck since 9.30am.
She said: “There were loads of different groups playing football, and it was actually quite nice to see.
“There were a few mini games going across two miles of road.”
Writing on Facebook, another fed up motorist said: “Avoid M5 south at a stand still motorway shut both sides, people out their cars. All engines off.”
Meanwhile decking company SpecDeck posted: “Due to the M5 being shut both ways due to a fire, we have 4 teams stuck on the motorway, unable to reach their destinations for work today.
“Check your route of travel today before making a journey.”
Motorist David Trevelyan described four-mile queues in a Facebook post, alongside photos of the gridlock and a ‘picnic’ he was having.
He said: “Looks like a day out on the M5 4 mile tailback and at a standstill, so let’s get the kettle on. Time for a picnic on The M5.”
DIVERSION ROUTES
Road users travelling southbound are advised to follow the solid diamond diversion symbol:
- Leave the M5 south at J22 and at the roundabout take the 1st exit onto the A38 heading south.
- Follow the A38 south through Highbridge, Huntspill, and Pawlett to Dunball and the roundabout with the A39.
- Take the 1st exit onto the A39 and continue to the M5 J23 roundabout.
- Take the 3rd exit to rejoin the M5 south at J23.
Road users travelling northbound are advised to follow the solid circle diversion symbol:
- Leave the M5 north at J23 and take the 1st exit onto the A39.
- Continue on the A39 to the roundabout with the A38 at Dunball and take the 3rd exit onto the A38 heading north.
- Follow the A38 through Pawlett, Huntspill, and Highbridge until the roundabout with the M5 J22.
- Take the 3rd exit to rejoin the M5 north at J22.
A second incident has also seen an air ambulance dispatched to the same stretch of road.
Devon and Somerset Fire and Rescue Service said: “We are currently on-site at a lorry fire on the M5 motorway’s hard shoulder, between Junctions 22 (Edithmead) and 23 (Dunball).
“The lorry was transporting milk powder and diesel, and we are using a telehandler to safely offload these materials. The driver is unharmed.
“The southbound carriageway remains closed as our teams work to fully extinguish the fire; however, the northbound carriageway has now been reopened, with a reduced speed limit in place.
“We are collaborating closely with partner agencies, including the police and the Environment Agency.”
A spokesperson for the South Western Ambulance Service NHS Foundation Trust (SWASFT) said: “We were called at 09:29hrs on Friday 25 October to an incident near Burnham-on-sea. We sent one double-crewed land ambulance to the scene”.
No one was taken to hospital.
NHSW said: “The M5 in Somerset is closed in both directions between J22 (Burnham on Sea) and J23 (Puriton) due to a serious lorry fire.
“Emergency services including Devon and Somerset Fire and Rescue are on scene.
“National Highways Traffic Officers are also on scene to assist with traffic management.
“Traffic caught within the closure will be released via the rear of the queue.
“Please remain in your vehicles and await instruction from a Traffic Officer or Police.”