Stranded drivers rescued as flooding closes route

The M5 near Bristol was closed because of flooding at the Almondsbury Interchange.

Stranded motorists have been rescued after a section of the M5 was closed amid “significant flooding”.

National Highways said the northbound carriageway is closed between J16 for Aztec West and J14 for Thornbury. The southbound carriageway has re-opened, but long queues remain between J14 for Thornbury and J15 for the Almondsbury Interchange.

Firefighters were called to the route at about 01:00 BST.

Steven Basterfield from National Highways described Friday’s downpours as “exceptional” and confirmed about 6,000 metres of water per minute was currently being removed from the motorway.

The northbound carriageway is expected to remain closed for a “number of hours”.

Crews from Avon Fire and Rescue Service have so far rescued three people from stranded vehicles and helped to assist others stuck in the floods.

Motorists are facing long delays and diversions this morning

The M5 motorway. A police car can be seen in the middle of the carriageway, blocking access to other motorists. There is a long queue of traffic diverting off of the motorway. — Motorists are facing long delays and diversions this morning

Diversions are in place, but motorists are advised to avoid travelling in the area as traffic is building on other roads.

There are currently delays of 45 minutes and approximately three miles of congestion both ways, according to National Highways.

Allow Twitter content?

This article contains content provided by Twitter. We ask for your permission before anything is loaded, as they may be using cookies and other technologies. You may want to read and before accepting. To view this content choose ‘accept and continue’.

Mr Basterfield continued: “There’s a lot of work going on at the scene to try and remove this water.

“It’s run off from the fields either side of the motorway and it’s a real multi-agency response.”

High volume pumps are being used at the scene to remove the water, he added.

“There’s extensive flooding in the area so it is going to take some time, but the pumps do seem to be having a positive effect,” he added.

Emergency services were called at about 01:00 BST

Police car on the M5 southbound near Junction 14. Traffic cones can be seen by the car, as well as a road closed sign. The police car has its lights on. — Emergency services were called at about 01:00 BST

The Met Office has issued a yellow weather warning for rain which covers the south west of England.

It advises that heavy downpours will bring the potential for some flooding and disruption to transport. There is also a chance of power cuts, it said.

The warning is in place until 09:00 on Friday.

Tewkesbury Borough Council is also handing out sandbags to residents to help protect their homes against flooding, advising them to stack them against their doorways.

Met Office Map of the UK showing the yellow warning for rain. The entire south coast is covered, as is the east, parts of south wales and parts of the Midlands. — A yellow warning for rain is in place

As of 05:00, the Environment Agency had 63 flood warnings in place and 120 flood alerts, including a red alert for the Tetbury Avon River in Malmesbury, Wiltshire.

Areas most at risk include properties in Malmesbury around Goose Bridge and St John’s Street, the agency said.

A flood warning is also in place for the River Frome in Somerset.

Flooding is expected in Algars Mill, Mill Lane, Brookside Drive, Rectory Road, Damsons Bridge, Moorend, Cleeve Mill, Frenchay Mill, River View and Frome Bridge, the agency said.

Although weather conditions are due to improve this afternoon, the Environment Agency warned residents to “take care, avoid travelling and start acting on flood plans”.

The agency is closely monitoring the situation and debris is being cleared from weed screens.