There have been huge queues on the M5 southbound today (27th December 2021) after a vehicle fire closed three lanes
Emergency services were called to a lorry fire on the M5 this morning which has caused miles of tailbacks (Monday, December 27).
The incident resulted in the closure of three lanes on the soundbound carriageway between junction five and junction six.
Traffic monitoring organisation, Inrix, reports the incident happened at around 6.25am.
Inrix states: “Two lanes closed, severe delays and queueing traffic for seven miles due to recovery work and earlier vehicle fire on M5 southbound between junction 5, A38 (Droitwich/Wychbold) and junction 6, A4538 Pershore Lane (Worcester). Congestion to J4A (M42 Interchange). Travel time is 1 hour 15 minutes.
“Lanes one and two (of four) are closed. A lorry carrying soft drinks in cans and bottles caught fire earlier. The fire has long been put out.”
This is a live blog and we will bring you more information as we get it.
Scroll down for updates.
16:00
Traffic returned to normal
Traffic on the M5 has returned to normal according to traffic monitoring site Inrix.
This concludes the end of our live blog.
15:31
Stop-start traffic remains for five miles
The travel time is estimated to be around 30 minutes for anyone travelling through.
Congestion remains between junction five and junction six following the earlier lorry fire.
14:22
All lanes have now been re-opened
The restrictions on the M5 southbound between junction five A38 (Droitwich / Wychbold) and junction six A4538 Pershore Lane (Worcester) were lifted at around 14.10pm.
It follows a lorry carrying soft drinks in cans and bottles catching fire earlier and forcing lanes of the M5 to be closed.
Congestion remains in place and travel time is expected to be around 30 minutes for anyone travelling through the area.
The queues are currently six miles long with stop-start traffic.
