Traffic on the M5 in Somerset faced significant delays this morning due to a van that overturned on its side. The incident occurred around 5:57 AM on Friday, May 29, 2026, affecting the southbound lane between Clevedon and Weston-super-Mare, specifically between junctions 20 and 21.
M5 Traffic Disruption Details
The van flipped in lane three, causing all traffic to come to a halt. Road monitoring service Inrix reported stationary traffic in the area as emergency services responded to the scene. Initially, National Highways estimated delays of approximately 30 minutes for drivers approaching the accident.
Impact on Traffic
By 7:50 AM, the situation improved as the motorway was cleared. All lanes were reopened, and normal traffic flow resumed. However, residual delays lingered for some time.
- Incident Time: 5:57 AM
- Location: M5 Southbound, junctions 20 (Clevedon) to 21 (Weston-super-Mare)
- Initial Delay: 30 minutes
- Clearance Time: 7:50 AM
Additional Observations
During the incident, traffic monitoring systems updated that delays increased, with some reports indicating waits of up to 101 minutes in the affected area. Drivers were advised to plan their routes accordingly.
Witnesses at the scene noted that the van blocked all three lanes, which contributed to the significant backup on the motorway. Fortunately, emergency services quickly arrived to manage the incident, allowing traffic to resume after thorough clearance efforts.
