Police reopen M5 after traffic collision
Police reopen M5 after traffic collision causes hours of travel chaos
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By Matthew Champion. |  |
Friday, 16, Oct 2009 01:06
By Sarah Garrod
Police have announced the reopening of all three lanes of the southbound and northbound M5 after a traffic collision caused travel chaos.
More than 25 miles of the M5 near Bristol had been closed for several hours after an accident when a Nissan pickup struck an 11,000V electric cable.
The accident caused major delays on the M5, with all three people in the car which hit the pole escaping without serious injury. Police said the decision to shut the motorway was taken after it was noted that the cables were hanging precariously close to the road.
Assistant Chief Constable John Long said: "We are grateful for the patience and understanding shown by motorists this morning and are pleased that by working with our agency partners we have able to minimise the disruption and reopen the motorway ahead of schedule."
A spokesman for Avon and Somerset police said: "Decisions to close the motorway are never taken lightly as police officers are aware of the impact this has on local people who are trying to get to work, drop children off at school and go about their daily business.
"However, the power cable presents a hazard to any motorists and in the interests of public safety the decision was taken to close the road."