Drivers stranded on M5 as flooding causes traffic chaos

Standing water on the motorway left motorists stuck

Motorists have been left stranded by floodwater on the M5 this morning, Friday, September 27, as heavy overnight rain has resulted in the closure of both the southbound and northbound carriageways. The torrential downpour left vehicles stuck, leading to significant travel disruption.

Avon and Somerset Police issued a travel warning urging drivers to steer clear of the affected area, saying: "We're currently working with @HighwaysSWEST to rescue people stranded on the motorway. The M5 is closed in both directions between J16 and J14 due to flooding and heavy rainfall."

National Highways reports that Avon and Somerset Fire and Rescue, alongside the Environment Agency, Police, Traffic Officers, and road contractors are on site making efforts to alleviate the floodwaters at the earliest opportunity. For those seeking to navigate around the chaos, alternate routes have been suggested. We are running publishing live M5 travel updates in our live blog here.

Clearly marked diversions have been set up for both directions of travel. Northbound vehicles should look for the solid triangle symbol to guide them from J16 along the A38 all the way back to the M5 at J14.

Southbound travellers are directed to follow the solid circle symbol, leaving the M5 at J14 and taking the B4509 westbound to the A38 southbound all the way to the roundabout at Almondsbury, rejoining the M5 via the third exit at J16.

There is also heavy congestion on the A38 as traffic diverts away from the M5.