Drivers have been warned of delays up to an hour this afternoon due to the M5 being forced shut in both directions following reports of a body found on the road.
West Midlands Police confirmed they were at the scene where a body was discovered in the carriageway between Junction 3 at Quinton and Junction 2 at Oldbury.
In a separate incident, a serious collision occurred between Junction 1 (West Bromwich) and the M6, forcing more closures and delays on drivers.
National Highways reported that the closure affects the northbound carriageway between Junction 3 and the M6, and southbound between Junction 2 and Junction 3.
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Drivers have been warned of disruptions until at least 3pm later today
NATIONAL HIGHWAYS
Emergency services are in attendance at both scenes.The police-led incidents have resulted in significant disruption for motorists travelling through the area this morning.
National Highways contractors and Traffic Officers are assisting with traffic management as the situation continues to develop.
West Midlands Police shared on X: "We are at the scene of two incidents on the M5, and it is currently closed in both directions at Oldbury/Quinton.
“It's shut J3 at Quinton to J2 at Oldbury after a body was found in the carriageway. Following a separate collision, it's shut north between J3 and the M6."
The closure has created severe congestion on surrounding routes as drivers attempt to navigate around the affected sections of the motorway.
West Midlands Ambulance Service said it was called at 9.55am to reports of a collision just after junction 1 of the M5 Northbound in West Bromwich and sent two ambulances, a paramedic officer, a MERIT trauma doctor and a critical care paramedic to the scene.
A West Midlands Ambulance Service spokesperson shared: "On arrival, crews found the motorcyclists, both men, requiring medical attention. Ambulance staff treated both patients for serious injuries. One man was conveyed to Queen Elizabeth Hospital, and the second man was conveyed to Midlands Metropolitan University Hospital for further treatment."
Traffic is being diverted via alternative routes, with National Highways implementing their emergency diversion protocols. Drivers are being advised to avoid the area if possible and seek alternative routes for their journeys.
Northbound traffic is being directed to follow hollow square diversion symbols, exiting at J3 and taking the A456 and A4123.
At Birchley Island, drivers should follow hollow circle symbols onto the A4034 northbound, continuing to the A457 and A4252.
For drivers heading further north, solid diamond symbols direct traffic via the A41 westbound to the A4444 and A463 northbound, eventually joining the M6 at Junction 10. Southbound motorists should follow hollow diamond symbols, exiting at J2 and taking the link road to Birchley Island.
From there, drivers are directed onto the A4123 southbound, then right onto the A456 southbound. At the M5 J3 roundabout, motorists can rejoin the M5 southbound by taking the first exit.
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Traffic in the area has been diverted away through alternative routes
NATIONAL HIGHWAYS
National Highways said: "If this closure impacts on your planned route, please allow extra journey time. Plan ahead, you may wish to re-route or even delay your journey. Traffic caught up within the closure is being turned via the rear of the queue in batches."
Normal traffic conditions are expected to return between 2:45pm and 3pm later today.
The traffic agency explained that traffic caught up within the closure is being turned around and released via the rear of the queue.
