Part of a tipper truck has smashed into an overhead gantry on the M5 and landed vertically on the carriageway. The motorway has been closed in both directions near Bristol as a result of the crash.
Police have confirmed that there are no reports of injuries, but there is major disruption this morning (Thursday, March 2). National Highways has shared details of the diversion route, with those travelling southbound advised to follow the hollow square road signs.
A spokesperson said: "The M5 in Gloucestershire is closed northbound between J18A (M49) and J17 (Cribbs Causeway) and southbound between J17 and J18 due to a collision whereby a tipper truck has collided with an overhead gantry sign in lane 1. As a result, all other gantry signs across both carriageways have been affected.
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"Emergency services including Avon and Somerset Police are in attendance. National Highways Traffic Officers are also on scene assisting with traffic management." The details from National Highways are below:
Diversion route
Southbound traffic is being diverted via the hollow square diversion symbol
- Exit the M5 at J15 and head onto the M4 westbound
- Continue on the M4 to junction 22 and proceed to join the M49 headed southbound
- Continue on the M49 to rejoin the M5 at J18
Northbound traffic
- There are no symbols to follow, but motorists travelling northbound should follow the above diversion route in reverse.
An Avon and Somerset Police spokesperson said: "We were called to the M5 at around 8.20am today following reports of a tipper truck colliding with an overhead gantry on the southbound carriageway between junctions 17 (Cribbs Causeway) and 18 (Avonmouth).
“The motorway is currently closed in both directions. There have been no reported injuries.”
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