On March 18, 2026, the M5 motorway is closed in both directions between junctions 18 (Avonmouth) and 19 (Portbury) due to a welfare-related incident. Avon and Somerset Police confirmed the closure, which has led to significant congestion in the area.

Motorists are advised to seek alternative routes as traffic builds up. In response to the closure, Bristol City Council announced that the Clean Air Zone has been switched off to accommodate diversions. This measure aims to ease the burden on drivers who may be rerouted through the zone.

To further assist drivers, cameras monitoring the Clean Air Zone will be suspended during the closure. If a vehicle is diverted due to planned roadworks into the Clean Air Zone and follows the signed diversion route, the driver will not incur the zone charge, according to Bristol City Council.

For those who have already paid a zone charge due to a diversion, there is an option to apply for a refund. Additionally, drivers who received a Penalty Charge Notice as a result of the road diversion can appeal the fine.

National Highways has provided guidance for drivers navigating the area. Southbound drivers are advised to follow the hollow circle symbol on road signs, while northbound drivers should look for the solid triangle symbol.

The current state of the M5 closure is causing significant disruption for commuters and travelers in the region. The situation remains fluid as authorities work to address the welfare-related incident that prompted the closure.

This sequence of events is crucial for those involved, as it impacts daily commutes, travel plans, and local traffic conditions. The closure highlights the importance of timely communication and effective traffic management in response to unexpected incidents.

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The M5 motorway was closed between Junction 18 (Avonmouth) and Junction 19 (Portbury) due to a police-led incident, described as ‘welfare-related.’ This closure has caused significant disruption to traffic across Bristol and surrounding areas.

Traffic management systems reported severe congestion, with vehicles moving at average speeds as low as five mph. Diversion routes were established for both southbound and northbound traffic, with the southbound route known as the Hollow Circle route and the northbound route referred to as the Solid Triangle route.

During the closure, Clean Air Zone fines were suspended to alleviate some of the pressure on drivers. All lanes on the M5 have since reopened, but delays of approximately 30–45 minutes are expected in both directions.

As of now, congestion remains 4 miles northbound and 3 miles southbound, indicating that traffic conditions are still far from normal.

Authorities have advised drivers to allow extra travel time and to check real-time traffic updates before setting out. They also recommend considering alternative routes if possible until traffic conditions improve.

Details remain unconfirmed regarding the specifics of the police-led incident, but the impact on local traffic has been substantial.

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