People warned to get back in their cars after M5 closed due to ‘incident’
Frustrated motorists were seen roaming the M5 after the motorway closed to traffic following a police incident.
Drivers abandoned their vehicles and had a stroll on the carriageway near Bridgwater, Somerset, after the major motorway closure.
It came after traffic ground to a halt some 22 miles from Glastonbury Festival, which finished today.
Traffic stopped in both directions on the M5 in Somerset between J23 Bridgwater and J24 Huntworth after the police responded to an incident.
National Highways warned drivers of ‘very long delays’ and asked everyone to be patient.
However, some motorists decided to use the stop for some fresh air which prompted the highways authority to issue a warning as figures could be seen on traffic cameras walking on the motorway.
National Highways reminded people it cannot reopen the M5 ‘whilst people are walking around the motorway.’
‘Please return to your vehicle to allow the road to be re-opened. Severe delays remain in both directions approaching the closures,’ it said.
Traffic officers were seen trying to turn around vehicles stuck at the back of the massive queue.
Avon and Somerset Police have since confirmed it was a concern for welfare incident, which was ‘safely resolved.’
The incident meant the road was blocked in one direction, while the other lanes could not reopen either because of the pedestrians.
It has since cleared, but severe delays remained in the area in the early afternoon, National Highways warned.
Were you caught in the disruption? Please email noora.mykkanen@metro.co.uk.
Get in touch with our news team by emailing us at webnews@metro.co.uk.
For more stories like this, check our news page.