Britons face traffic nightmare as serious accidents force M5 and A2 to close for 'several hours'

The M5 in Gloucestershire is closed between Junction 14 (Falfield) and Junction 13 (Stroud) after a vehicle left the carriageway following a collision.

National Highways states that its traffic officers are providing assistance, with Gloucestershire Police also in attendance.

Traffic is in the process of being released following the accident, although lengthy delays are expected to remain throughout the morning.

National Highways stated: "Due to the severity of the incident, a police investigation is currently underway, resulting in the closure being in place for several hours."

The transport organisation has set up a diversion route to help motorists affected by the closed road.

Road users travelling northbound are advised to follow the Solid Triangle diversion symbol on road signs

• Exit the M5 northbound at J14 and turn left onto the B4509
• At the junction with the A38, turn right and join the A38 northbound
• Continue on the A38 northbound, passing through the villages of Cambridge and Claypits, to then re-join the M5 northbound at J13

The eastbound carriageway of the A2 in Kent is closed between the A2260 (Ebbsfleet) and A227 (Gravesend) due to a multi-vehicle collision.

Kent Police remain on the scene and are currently leading the response to the closure, with investigations underway.

National Highways noted that the severe accident has prompted police to close the road for "several hours" while the force deals with the response.

Road users travelling coastbound are advised to follow the diversion route

• Coast-bound diverted traffic will exit the A2 at the B259 North Fleet exit and travel east on the B239 Watling Street to the roundabout junction with the South Fleet Road
• At this roundabout, it will take the second exit onto a continuation of the B259 Watling Street and travel eastwards in lane one to the junction with the A2260 Hall Road
• The traffic will then travel northwards in Hall Road to the roundabout junction with Springhead Road
• Exit the roundabout into Hall Road and travel eastwards to the crossroads junction with Coldharbour Road, where it will turn southeast into Coldharbour Road towards the junction with the A227 Wrotham Road roundabout
• At this roundabout, diverted traffic will exit onto the A227 southbound and then pass under the A2 to another roundabout, where they can then return to the A2 coastbound
• Traffic can still join the A2 at Pepperhill Interchange on the coastbound carriageway