M5 Closed Both Ways Near Exeter After Woman Found on Bridge

The M5 was shut in both directions near Exeter on Monday morning after police responded to a concern-for-welfare incident involving a woman on a bridge above the motorway.

The closure affected one of the busiest routes into Devon, with traffic stopped between Junction 30 for Exeter and Junction 31 for the A38 Okehampton turn-off. The incident caused long queues and forced drivers onto local roads during the morning rush.

Devon and Cornwall Police said officers were called at around 3.50am on Monday, May 18, following reports of concern for the welfare of a woman in the Clyst St Mary area of Exeter. As part of the response, the woman was later found on a bridge over the M5.

Police officers and trained negotiators attended the scene while the motorway was closed as a safety measure. The shutdown applied to both northbound and southbound traffic, with all lanes blocked between J30 and J31.

National Highways confirmed the closure was linked to a police-led incident. Drivers were told there was no immediate estimated reopening time earlier in the morning because of the sensitive nature of the situation. Motorists can check official updates through National Highways travel alerts.

M5 delays build as drivers warned to avoid Exeter area

Traffic reports showed queues building quickly around Exeter as vehicles were diverted away from the closed motorway. Congestion was also reported on the A379 between Kennford and Sandygate Roundabout, where traffic increased as drivers looked for alternative routes.

The affected section sits close to major links for the A30 and A38, meaning the closure did not only hit motorway users. Local roads around Exeter, Marsh Barton, Alphington and Clyst St Mary also came under pressure as commuters, delivery vehicles and long-distance traffic tried to move around the incident.

Police asked motorists to avoid the area where possible and follow official diversion signs. Drivers were also urged not to rely only on sat-nav systems, as some routes around Exeter are not suitable for heavy traffic or large vehicles.

Six diversion routes were put in place depending on where drivers were heading. Traffic travelling from the A38 eastbound to the M5 northbound was directed onto the A379 northbound before rejoining the motorway at Junction 30.

Drivers travelling from the A30 eastbound to the M5 northbound were sent via Alphington Interchange, the A377, Marsh Barton Road, Trusham Road, Alphin Brook Road, Hennock Road Central, Bad Homburg Way and the A379 before returning to the M5 at Junction 30.

Traffic heading from the A30 eastbound to the A38 westbound followed a similar route through Marsh Barton and Bad Homburg Way before taking the A379 westbound to join the A38.

Drivers travelling from the A38 eastbound to the A30 westbound were diverted via the A379, Bad Homburg Way, Hennock Road Central, Alphin Brook Road, Trusham Road, Marsh Barton Road and the A377 toward Alphington Interchange.

Southbound M5 traffic heading toward the A38 westbound was told to leave at Junction 30 and take the A379. Motorists heading from the M5 southbound to the A30 westbound were also sent via the A379, B3123, Trusham Road, Marsh Barton Road and the A377.

Police treat incident as welfare matter, not a crash

The incident was not reported as a collision. Police described it as a concern-for-welfare matter, with negotiators at the scene and emergency services managing the situation carefully before the motorway could reopen.

Welfare-related motorway closures can take time to resolve because police must protect the person involved, the public and responders working near live traffic routes. Even after a closure is lifted, congestion can continue while trapped traffic clears and diversion routes return to normal.

Anyone affected by the nature of this incident can contact Samaritans for free on 116 123 at any time, day or night. Support is also available through the Samaritans website.

The M5 is a key motorway for travel between the Midlands, Bristol, Somerset, Devon and Cornwall. A full closure near Exeter can quickly create wider disruption because Junction 30 and Junction 31 connect traffic with the A30, A38 and several busy local routes.

For more UK motorway disruption coverage, read Swikblog’s latest report on the M5 closure in Somerset after a fuel tanker crash caused diesel spill delays.

Drivers planning to travel through Exeter were advised to check live traffic updates before setting off, leave extra time for journeys and avoid the affected stretch until police and highways teams confirm the road is safe to reopen.