M5 chaos near Bristol Airport as 'police incident' shuts motorway with severe delays

M5 chaos near Bristol Airport as 'police incident' shuts motorway with severe delays Drivers have been warned of delays of over 65 minutes and are being told to find alternative routes after the M5 has been shut between J18 and 19 southbound, and from J21 to J18 northbound There are delays of over an hour on the M5 tonight near Bristol Airport after a "police incident" has seen the motorway being shut in both directions near Avonmouth. Drivers are being told to find alternative routes as there are currently delays of 65 minutes northbound and 20 minutes southbound. The M5 is currently shut between J18 and 19 southbound, and from J21 to J18 northbound. National Highways said: "The M5 in Somerset is closed southbound between J18 (M49) and J19 (Gordano Services) due to an Avon & Somerset Police led incident. Northbound the carriageway is closed from J21 to J18. "Southbound traffic is now in process of being turned around. 60min delay both ways." One driver has said: "We've been stopped nearly 2hrs. No communication from anyone. "Now turning people around on M5." M5 diversion routes: Southbound - Road users travelling on the M5 southbound are advised to follow the Hollow Circle symbol on road signs. - Exit the M5 at J18A onto the Avonmouth Spur road. - Take the slip road towards Portway roundabout. - Take the 2nd exit onto the A4. - Continue south on the A4 (this will take you through the clean are zone, Bristol Council have confirmed the clean air zone has been switched off for this closure) to Gurney roundabout. - Take the 1st exit onto the A4174 South Bristol Link road and continue until you reach Lime Kiln roundabout. - Take the 3rd exit onto the A38. - Continue south on the A38 to East Brent. - At the East Brent roundabout, take the 1st exit onto Bristol Road. - At the next roundabout, take the 1st exit to re-join the M5 at J22. Northbound - Road users travelling on the M5 northbound are advised to follow the Solid Triangle symbol on road signs - From J21 head east on the A370 - Follow the A370 east for approx. 14 miles until the A370/A4 junction. - Take the link road onto the A4 and continue north (this will take you through the clean are zone, Bristol Council have confirmed the clean air zone has been switched off for this closure). - Follow the A4 north for approx. 5 miles until the roundabout at J18 in Avonmouth. - At the roundabout , take the link road to rejoin the M5 at J18A.