Crash brings long delays on M5 southbound
A multi‑vehicle collision on the M5 southbound brought traffic to a standstill during the evening rush on Monday, with two lanes closed between J13 (Stroud) and J14 (Falfield / Thornbury).
National Highways said the incident involved multiple vehicles and that lanes 2 and 3 of three were closed while emergency services attended. Traffic monitoring service Inrix reported the collision involved three vehicles and caused several miles of congestion on the approach.
“Lots of emergency services [on the M5] near Michaelwoods. Traffic has been stopped.”
The disruption built through the late afternoon and early evening, with drivers warned of queues stretching around three to four miles and delays of roughly 45 minutes at the peak. Traffic began to ease after National Highways confirmed all lanes had reopened just before 6.30pm.
What happened and what to expect
Details released publicly describe the collision as a multiple‑vehicle incident on the southbound carriageway. Police and other emergency crews were on scene to make the scene safe and assist those involved. No official statement on injuries or arrests was released by emergency services in the updates available this evening.
- Location: M5 southbound, between J13 (A419, Stroud) and J14 (B4509, Falfield/Thornbury)
- Vehicles involved: three (as reported by traffic monitors)
- Impact: two lanes closed, up to four miles of congestion, circa 45‑minute delays
Motorists travelling this corridor were urged to allow extra time, consider alternative routes and to drive with care in the affected area while recovery and clearance took place. National Highways posted regular updates via its traffic feeds as the situation developed.
| Time (approx) | Event |
|---|---|
| Late afternoon | Collision reported; lanes 2 and 3 closed |
| Peak delay | Up to 4 miles of congestion; 45 minutes' delay |
| 18:30 | All lanes reopened; traffic easing |
Anyone who witnessed the collision or has images that could assist reporting was asked to share them with local news outlets if it is safe to do so. Road users should continue to check National Highways and local traffic services for live updates when planning journeys.
