M5 closed: Drivers stranded in vehicles rescued as flooding causes traffic mayhem on busy motorway
Drivers are being urged to avoid the area as roads remain closed
NATIONAL HIGHWAYS
Drivers are abandoning their cars on the M5 motorway after floodwater shut off access to thousands of drivers following heavy rain.
National Highways: South-West alerted drivers that the M5 northbound is closed near Almondsbury, Bristol between J15 and J14 due to flooding.
It confirmed that traffic officers remain in attendance with a specialist team en route to help the trapped motorists and clear the incident.
The M5 in Gloucestershire remains closed in both directions near Bristol from J16 Almondsbury to J14 Falfield heading Northbound and J14 to J15 M4 Southbound.
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The long stretch of the M5 remains closed
NATIONAL HIGHWAYS
Delays remain with National Highways warning that there is around three miles of congestion both ways, with an average wait time of 45 minutes.
Avon Fire and Rescue Service (AFRS) was called to assist the police and National Highways with the flash floods at around 1am this morning.
They rescued three people who were stranded in their vehicles and assisted others who found themselves stuck in the floods.
Motorists are being urged to avoid the area and find other routes when heading to work or school during rush hour this morning.
Northbound traffic is diverted to follow the solid triangle symbol, encouraging them to exit the J16 onto the A38 before rejoining the M5 at J14.
Southbound traffic should exit the M5 at J14 and turn right onto the B4509 westbound at the end of the slip road.
At the junction with the A38, drivers should turn left onto the A38 southbound, heading towards Bristol.
They can continue on the A38 for approximately eight miles to Almondsbury Roundabout/M5 J16 before taking the third exit to rejoin the M5 southbound.
The Met Office has issued another yellow weather warning for heavy rain in action for most of England and Wales.
It warns that there is a potential for some flooding and disruption to transport, in addition to difficult driving conditions from spray and flooding, leading to road closures.
Drivers in the region will be dealing with further delays from delays on the M48 Severn Crossing amid high winds causing issues.
The restrictions are in place on the M48 Severn Bridge in both directions from J1 A403 (Aust) to J2 A466 Wye Valley Link Road (Chepstow).
LATEST DEVELOPMENTS:
National Highways has introduced diversion routes for motorists
NATIONAL HIGHWAYS
According to the BBC, Steven Basterfield from National Highways described Friday's downpours as "exceptional".
The expert confirmed that around 6,000 metres of water per minute was being removed from the motorway as specialist teams work to reopen the road.
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