Traffic has been stopped in both directions on the M5 around the Avonmouth Bridge, with long queues building as drivers are urged to reroute or delay travel.
UK traffic update • Bristol area
Updated: Saturday, January 31, 2026 (UK time)
The M5 motorway has been closed in both directions near Bristol following a police-led incident, causing major disruption for motorists and triggering lengthy delays on one of the South West’s busiest transport corridors.
M5 closed with huge delays following police incident https://t.co/pwyarsGdLB
— North Somerset Times (@NSomTimes) January 30, 2026
According to National Highways, the closure affects the stretch of motorway between Junction 18 (M49) and Junction 19 (Gordano Services), including the busy Avonmouth Bridge. Officials have warned motorists to expect significant delays while emergency services remain at the scene.
The #M5 in #Bristol is currently closed in both directions between J18 (#M49) and J19 #GordanoServices due to an @ASPolice led incident.
— National Highways: South-West (@HighwaysSWEST) January 30, 2026
Latest travel update
| Situation | Current information |
|---|---|
| Motorway status | M5 remains closed in both directions between J18 (M49) and J19 (Gordano Services). |
| Reason | Emergency response to an Avon & Somerset Police-led incident. |
| Traffic conditions | Long queues with delays of around 30 minutes or more. |
| Traffic management | National Highways has begun releasing vehicles trapped behind the closure where it is safe to do so. |
| Travel advice | Drivers are urged to avoid the area, use signed diversion routes and allow additional journey time. |
For official updates, visit the National Highways M5 travel alert.
The closure affects one of the busiest sections of the motorway network serving Bristol and the wider South West. Traffic travelling between the M49, Avonmouth and Gordano Services has been forced onto surrounding roads, creating congestion well beyond the immediate incident area.
Even after the motorway eventually reopens, motorists should expect delays to continue while stranded traffic clears and normal traffic flow gradually returns.
Why information remains limited. Authorities often use the term police-led incident when officers are managing an emergency rather than highway maintenance teams. Until police complete their work, only limited information is normally released, particularly if the incident involves ongoing investigations or welfare concerns.
Advice for motorists. Anyone travelling through Bristol should check traffic updates before leaving and consider alternative routes where possible. Once vehicles become caught in the stationary queue behind a full motorway closure, opportunities to exit safely can be extremely limited.
Drivers already approaching the affected stretch should follow diversion signs, remain patient and leave enough room for emergency vehicles that may need to reach the incident.
Expect delays on surrounding roads. Local routes around Avonmouth, Portbury, Gordano and nearby junctions are also likely to experience heavier traffic as drivers divert away from the motorway. Bus services and local journeys may also take longer than usual until the closure is lifted.
Officials continue to monitor the situation and further updates are expected once police determine it is safe to reopen the affected section of the motorway.
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