THE M5 was closed for southbound traffic for around four hours last night between Puriton (junction 23) and Bridgwater (junction 24) due to a vehicle fire. 

National Highways confirmed the closure at around 7:20pm last night (Monday, June 6). 

Its website said the closure was “due to a vehicle fire”.

A National Highways spokesperson said: “Fire and Rescue crews are at the scene. National Highways have resources in attendance to assist with traffic management. 

“There has been a large spillage of oil and diesel on the carriageway and this will need to be assessed once safe to do so to determine if this has damaged the road surface. 

“If this closure impacts on your planned route, please allow extra time for your journey.”

National Highways confirmed the re-opening of the southbound carriageway at around 11:15pm. 

When the re-opening was announced, National Highways said: “The carriageway remains closed within junction 23 but we are in the process of removing this closure now.”

The full re-opening of the affected stretch of the motorway was confirmed just before midnight.

While the M5 was closed, a diversion route was in place.

This took drivers off the motorway at junction 23 and onto the A38 to Huntworth Lane, where they re-joined the carriageway at junction 24.