A lorry crash on the M5 between junctions 13 and 14 has caused significant disruption this afternoon, March 29, as a diesel spill resulted in the closure of the northbound carriageway and part of the southbound side.
The incident occurred when a heavy goods vehicle collided with the central reservation near Stroud, rupturing its diesel tank and spilling fuel across all northbound lanes. The motorway has been closed northbound between Falfield (J14) and Stroud (J13), with one lane also closed southbound due to barrier damage and debris.
Frustrated motorists have reported seeing numerous drivers illegally using the hard shoulder to bypass the extensive queues caused by the closure. One eyewitness told GloucestershireLive, “People are driving down the hard shoulder illegally to get through quicker, and this has been reported to the police.” Another added that the hard shoulder was heavily congested with many vehicles queueing to move forward.
READ MORE: Gloucestershire Head Coach Mark Alleyne Highlights Ben Charlesworth and Ollie Price as Key Players for 2025 Season
READ MORE: How to Fall Back Asleep at 2 a.m.: Three Effective Methods That Really Work
Emergency services, including Gloucestershire Police and National Highways traffic officers, are on site managing the situation. Specialist contractors have also been dispatched to carry out the hazardous diesel cleanup.
Drivers are advised to follow official diversion routes and remain patient as the cleanup and repairs continue. The incident remains ongoing, and authorities urge motorists to avoid using the hard shoulder illegally as it poses safety risks and hampers emergency response efforts.