M5 closed with cars 'abandoned' following 'significant flooding'

A large stretch of motorway has been closed following heavy rain

Motorists have been met with travel chaos this morning following multiple floods across the country. Drivers in the West Midlands have been warned not to travel unless it is 'absolutely necessary.'

And on the M5, some cars have reportedly been abandoned overnight following heavy rain. A large stretch of the motorway near Bristol has been closed due to significant flooding.

Avon Fire and Rescue Service shared on X just after 6.30 am this morning (September 27): "The M5 is currently closed in both directions due to significant flooding on the motorway. Northbound is closed between J16 and J14 and southbound is closed between J14 and J15.

READ MORE: Full list of flood warnings across West Midlands as drivers told 'do not travel'

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"We advise motorists to avoid travelling in the area. Thank you for your patience." Delays of one hour remain in the area at time of writing.

National Highways shared just after 9am: "The M5 south between J14 Falfield and J15 M4 is now open. The M5 northbound remains closed J16 Almondsbury - J14 for clear up and recovery works.

Pictures show extent of flooding across Birmingham and parts of West Midlands

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"Delays of 60 mins & approx. 4 miles congestion both ways." It comes as travel chaos is rife in the country following a yellow weather alert for rain.

A spokesperson for Met Office said of the weather forecast: "Heavy rain will bring the potential for some flooding and disruption to transport. Whilst some areas will miss the worst, heavy showers and some thunderstorms will occur, potentially becoming more organised across a swathe of Wales and into central and eastern England during Thursday evening and on into early Friday morning.

"10-15 mm of rain could occur within an hour from the heavy showers during today with a few places possibly seeing 30 mm over a few hours. There still remains some uncertainty in the details for Thursday evening and overnight, but some locations may see up 20-30 mm of rain in 2-3 hours and perhaps 40-60 mm in 3-6 hours."

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