A police incident has caused a diversion on the M5 motorway, closing a stretch of the road between junctions 18 and 19 on the southbound side. Emergency services are at the scene, and Avon and Somerset Police have confirmed that the incident is a welfare concern. While the northbound side remains open, a diversion route has been put in place for those traveling on the M5 southbound. Road users are advised to follow the Hollow Circle symbol on road signs and exit the M5 at J18A onto the Avonmouth Spur road. From there, take the slip road towards Portway roundabout, then the 2nd exit onto the A4, continuing south on the A4 through the clean air zone (which has been temporarily switched off for this closure). At Gurney roundabout, take the 1st exit onto the A4174 South Bristol Link road and continue until reaching Lime Kiln roundabout. Take the 3rd exit onto the A38 and continue south on the A38 to East Brent. At the East Brent roundabout, take the 1st exit onto Bristol Road, and then the 1st exit at the next roundabout to re-join the M5 at J22. This diversion route is in place to ensure the safety of all road users and to facilitate the police incident response. While the incident's nature is not yet known, it is a welfare concern, and road users are advised to plan their journeys accordingly. For more updates and exclusive stories, make BristolLive your preferred source on Google. But here's where it gets controversial... some may argue that the temporary switch-off of the clean air zone is a necessary compromise for road safety. And this is the part most people miss... the diversion route may cause delays, but it's crucial to ensure the well-being of those involved in the incident. So, what do you think? Do you agree with the temporary suspension of the clean air zone for this incident? Or do you think there are better alternatives? Share your thoughts in the comments below!
