Is there a better way to manage traffic issues on the M5?

Driving on the M5 through Somerset in recent months has left many waiting for hours to move when closures were in place, causing frustration, anxiety and calls for change.

The closures have largely been because of welfare-related incidents and crashes.

The resulting disruption caused to motorists has led many to question if there could be a new or alternative way to manage traffic on the motorway.

Last week an agreement was reached at Somerset Council for a new group to be created to help tackle the issues, analyse the data related to incidents and draw up plans to help reduce the frequency and duration of M5 closures.

According to figures from National Highways, Somerset has 12.9% of the South West's motorway network and 15.7% of incidents leading to a closure happen in the county.

National Highways also said 29.1% of incidents involving "persons in crisis" happen along this stretch.

It said it had seen "high volumes [of traffic] across all days during the holiday period" in recent years, straying from the tradition of weekends, Thursdays and Mondays being the busiest.

BBC News has previously reported on the impact the unexpected closures were having on drivers.

Last month a mother said her baby overheated when she was among the many drivers who were brought to a standstill on the M5 because of an incident.

And in January a woman said the treatment she receives for a pain and fatigue condition was "almost undone" because of the stress of travelling home on the M5 from Bristol to Somerset.

Somerset Council agreed, on 5 August, to create the group - made up of the council, Avon and Somerset Police, National Highways and the Office of the Police and Crime Commissioner - to tackle the issue.

Somerset councillor Richard Wilkins, who is the lead member for transport and highways, said the group would "try to understand what the issues are and, most importantly, what we can do differently to improve the situation".

He said: "There have been considerable issues with the M5 in recent years.

"We have seen the amount of closures and the length of times the closures take place just increase year on year.

"It's becoming a real problem and it has a real impact, not only on the local road networks, but on the whole economy of the South West."

Councillors in the executive meeting also agreed to explore whether a new road safety group could be created, separate to the new M5 group, to improve road safety through prevention, education and enforcement.

The council's leader Bill Revans said he would write to the government highlighting the issue of repeated M5 closures, the council said.

National Highways said it was "aware of the impact any unplanned closures have on communities around the M5".

It said it would work with the council and emergency services to find improvements.

A spokesperson said: "The majority of impactful unplanned closures are as a result of police-led incidents and National Highways always ensures that we have everything in place to reopen the road as soon as is practicable once the scene is released to us."

The RAC said drivers should take plenty of water when they travel as well as sun cream and an umbrella for shade in case of incidents on the motorway in hot weather.

RAC policy officer Harriet Hernando said: "Delays on motorways can be, at best, frustrating and, at worst, a real issue for drivers who are stranded for hours.

"Some delays on the M5 may well have been caused by cars breaking down so we urge drivers to make sure that their vehicles are in good shape by keeping up with their annual service.

"We also implore people to take care whilst driving by keeping within the speed limit, leaving sufficient space behind the car in front and checking mirrors before changing lanes."

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