A significant motorway was completely shut down in both directions in the early hours of the morning due to a serious accident. The M5 was closed from 2 am between Junction 20 for Clevedon and Junction 21 for Weston-super-Mare, prompting authorities to advise drivers to find alternative routes. Emergency services and National Highway traffic officers were on the scene, as reported by SomersetLive. Firefighters were observed extinguishing flames at the crash site. Later in the morning, National Highways announced the reopening of the motorway in both directions, with traffic flow back to normal by midday.
Traffic monitoring site Inrix confirmed the return to normal traffic conditions following the incident. National Highways had previously stated that the M5 had reopened in both directions between J21 and J20 post the accident. Inrix noted the closure of two lanes and significant delays due to a police incident on the M5 Northbound from J21 A370 to J20 B3133 Ettlingen Way. Southbound lanes were also closed from J19 to J21.
National Highways provided an estimated clearance time of between 11:15 and 11:30 on December 1, 2025. Motorists were advised to avoid the M5 near Somerset due to the ongoing police-led incident, resulting in a closure in both directions between Junction 20 for Clevedon and Junction 21 for Weston-super-Mare.
Following the crash near Weston-super-Mare around 11.05 pm, Avon and Somerset Police recommended northbound drivers exit at J21 and use the A370 and A4 to rejoin the M5 at J18. Southbound travelers were advised to follow the diversion symbol and use the A4 and A38 before returning to the M5 at J22.
National Highways updated directives for southbound motorists, recommending a specific diversion route. The closure was extended, affecting more sections of the M5, with southbound access blocked from junction 19. The closure was expected to last for several more hours, with normal traffic conditions anticipated by 5:30 am.
Emergency crews were present at the scene of the M5 closure between J21 near Weston-super-Mare and J20 near Clevedon. National Highways urged motorists to follow diversion signs and plan their journeys accordingly. The closure remained in effect due to the police incident, with restoration times estimated by National Highways at around 7:30 am.