THE M5 is closed in both directions near Bristol after a tipper lorry struck an overhead gantry on the southbound carriageway this morning.

The lorry struck the gantry between junction 17 (Cribbs Causeway) and junction 18 (Avonmouth) at around 8.20am.

Photographs from the scene show that the back of tipper is resting against the gantry in the middle of the carriageway. There have been no reported injuries.

The motorway has been closed in both directions because of the safety risk to drivers. Road users have been advised to plan ahead and allow extra time for their journeys. 

The incident has displaced matrix signage and severed electrical cables. Hydraulic fluid has spilled on to the carriageway.

National Highways’ engineers are currently assessing the damage to the gantry.

Southbound traffic is being diverted via the M4 westbound to the M49 to rejoin the M5 at junction 18. Northbound traffic is being diverted via the M49 to M4 junction 22, where it will rejoin the M5. 

National Highways says diversions are in place for local southbound traffic via M5 junction 17 and northbound via junction 18.

Ray Morwood, south west operations manager for National Highways, said: “The M5 has been closed to protect the travelling public and we’re working as quickly as we can to assess the gantry damage and make safe the signage and fittings.

“The incident has occurred on a busy section of the M5, we are working with our police partners, and we appreciate this will cause significant delays to people’s journeys.

“In the meantime, we advise people to add a little extra time for their journeys, and to consider alternative routes where they can.

“We thank all drivers for their co-operation and patience and we’re working quickly to establish timescales for repair and recovery work.”

In a statement issued this morning, a spokesperson for Avon and Somerset Police said: “We were called to the M5 at around 8.20am today (Thursday 2 March) following reports of a tipper truck colliding with an overhead gantry on the southbound carriageway between junctions 17 (Cribbs Causeway) and 18 (Avonmouth).

“The motorway is currently closed in both directions. There have been no reported injuries.”