M5 closed near Gloucester after crash

A serious collision on the M5 near Gloucester has closed the motorway in both directions and caused heavy delays.

M5 closure after lorry and bike crash near Gloucester

The M5 near Churchdown in Gloucestershire is closed in both directions after a collision between a lorry and a motorcycle this afternoon. The incident occurred just after 3:30 pm, and emergency crews including the air ambulance attended the scene. Traffic is being held on both sides while responders work, with drivers directed off at junction 11 for Gloucester and the Golden Valley bypass, and northbound traffic diverted at junction 11A for Gloucester and Cirencester. The crash happened about a mile north of junction 11A, and some drivers remain stuck behind the last exit with no escape before the road is fully cleared.

Officials say the closure is likely to last at least two hours, with delays expected to ripple through the surrounding roads as drivers seek alternatives. This event shows how a single crash can quickly disrupt a regional transport network, turning a routine drive into a challenge for commuters and logistics operators alike. It also highlights the pressure on emergency services to balance rapid incident response with traffic control on a busy corridor. In the hours ahead, officials will need clear information for drivers and efficient management of detours to prevent secondary incidents on alternative routes.

Highlights

Updates will follow as crews work to clear the scene.