ALMOST 400 homes in North Somerset experienced power cuts this morning (Friday, March 8) as a tree fell onto power lines over the motorway.

The M5 was closed in both directions between J21 Weston-super-Mare and J19 Portishead from around 9:30am until around 10:45am to allow for National Grid crews to repair the subsequently damaged power line.

A total of 385 properties in the Portishead area experienced a power cut as a result of the fallen tree at around 8:20am.

At 8:25am the following message was issued to affected properties: "For safety reasons, we have had to isolate the supplies in your local area, we hope to have this restored soon."

Read more: M5 closes in both directions from Weston to Portishead due to fallen tree

The National Grid have since confirmed the power outages in the Portishead area were caused by the fallen tree.

A National Grid Electricity Distribution spokesperson said: “A tree fell on an overhead power line that stretches across the M5 near Portishead. The tree is located in a wooded area just south of the Portishead junction.

“This resulted in the height of the overhead line being reduced to an unsafe level and the decision was taken to close the motorway in both directions while the tree was removed and the line was restored to its safe operating height.

“Power supplies were disrupted for 385 customers initially while the circuit was isolated by engineers.

"The tree was then removed and the overhead line checked to ensure it is operating safely.

"All but one of the affected customers had their electricity restored within 40 minutes, with the final customer back on supply by 10:15am.

“We apologise for the frustration, inconvenience and delays this incident caused both motorists and customers who lost power.”

Power outages were among the least severe disruption caused by the fallen tree however.

As crews worked to repair the line, traffic was at a complete standstill from Weston-super-Mare all the way to J18A (Lawrence Weston Interchange) on the outskirts of Bristol, delays spanned as far south as Bridgwater and Burnham-on-Sea.

First West of England issued an alert for the X1/X4/X5/X6/X7/X8/X9 bus services in North Somerset, and Bristol Airport issued a warning to those with a flight to catch.

Concern was sparked as far south as Cornwall, as a local traffic updates social media account said: "Major congestion if you're heading out of the Duchy this morning.

"The M5 is CLOSED in both directions between J21 Weston & J19 Portishead due to a tree which has fallen across power lines."