Stranded drivers rescued as flooding closes M5

Emergency services were called at about 01:00 BST

BBC Police car on the M5 southbound near Junction 14. Traffic cones can be seen by the car, as well as a road closed sign. The police car has its lights on. — Emergency services were called at about 01:00 BST

Emergency crews are rescuing stranded motorists after a section of the M5 was closed amid “significant flooding”.

National Highways said the northbound carriageway is closed between J16 for Aztec West and J14 for Thornbury. The southbound is also shut between J14 for Thornbury and J15 for the Almondsbury Interchange.

Avon Fire and Rescue Service (AFRS) was called at about 01:00 BST to assist police and National Highways with the flash floods.

The route is expected to remain closed for a “number of hours” while crews work to pump water away.

Upon arrival, AFRS rescued three people from stranded vehicles and helped to assist others stuck in the floods.

Diversions are in place, but motorists are advised to avoid travelling in the area as traffic is building on other roads.

There are currently delays of 20 minutes and approximately two miles of congestion on the southbound carriageway, according to National Highways.

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The Met Office has issued a yellow weather warning for rain which covers the south west of England.

It advises that heavy downpours will bring the potential for some flooding and disruption to transport. There is also a chance of power cuts, it said.

The warning is in place until 09:00 on Friday.

Tewkesbury Borough Council is also handing out sandbags to residents to help protect their homes against flooding, advising them to stack them against their doorways.

Met Office Map of the UK showing the yellow warning for rain. The entire south coast is covered, as is the east, parts of south wales and parts of the Midlands. — A yellow warning for rain is in place

As of 05:00, the Environment Agency had 63 flood warnings in place and 120 flood alerts, including a red alert for the Tetbury Avon River in Malmesbury.

Areas most at risk include properties in Malmesbury around Goose Bridge and St John’s Street, the agency said.

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