Boxing Day travel has been plunged into chaos after a crash on a major UK motorway saw motorists hit with huge delays.
On December 26, A vehicle collided with a lamppost on the M5 motorway near Bristol, sparking significant disruption for drivers heading north.
The incident occurred at Junction 20, where the exit slip road leading to the Almondsbury Interchange became blocked following the crash.
Traffic monitoring service Inrix first logged the collision at 2.56 pm, reporting: “M5 Northbound exit slip road blocked, very slow traffic due to accident at J15 M4 J20 (Almondsbury Interchange).”
A car is understood to have breached barriers and came to rest on the verge situated between the main carriageway and the slip road, prompting an immediate emergency response.
At least five emergency service vehicles were dispatched to the scene.
Following the incident, traffic cameras captured extensive queuing stretching back towards the Almondsbury roundabout and Cribbs Causeway.
National Highways confirmed the circumstances of the incident.
A Boxing Day crash has caused major delays on the M5
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NATIONAL HIGHWAYS
“Due to a collision, one car has struck and knocked over a lighting column. No serious injuries. Delays already and increasing,” National Highways added.
The agency’s update provided reassurance that those involved had escaped without serious harm.
However, motorists have been warned they will experience considerable hold-ups throughout Boxing Day evening.
Crews are currently still on site to clear the obstruction and restore normal traffic flow along the busy route.
The incident led to traffic chaos on the motorway
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GETTY
Their efforts appear to be bearing fruit as National Highways announced that the cars have finally been removed from the road.
They said this means the slip road could now be reopened.
“The cars from the earlier collision have been removed and slip road from J16 and the M5 northbound to the M4 east and westbound has been reopened,” the agency stated.
They also confirmed that delays were now “clearing”.
Boxing Day chaos was compounded by another serious crash on the M1 southbound in Derbyshire, which forced the closure of all four lanes this morning.
The incident led to major traffic trouble in the East Midlands, occurring between Junction 29 at Chesterfield and Junction 28 at Mansfield.
Emergency services rushed to the scene, with both Derbyshire Police and Derbyshire Fire & Rescue Service being in attendance.
A National Highways spokesman said earlier this morning: “Traffic is currently held on the M1 southbound between J29 at Chesterfield and J28 at Mansifled to allow Derbyshire Police and Derbyshire Fire and Rescue Service to work at the scene of the collision.”
