M5 Gridlock: Serious Crash and Loose Cows Cause Chaos in Devon
Gridlock at the Gateway: Morning Crash Shuts Down M5 at Splatford Split
It was a morning of absolute standstill for Devon commuters and westbound travelers this Thursday, as a serious multi-vehicle collision near Exeter triggered massive tailbacks. The incident, which occurred around 8:15 AM on the M5 Northbound at Junction 31, involved a car and a motorcyclist. Emergency services, including Devon and Cornwall Police, rushed to the scene where the biker was treated for serious, potentially life-threatening injuries. The immediate closure of the northbound lanes sent shockwaves through our local road network. Traffic quickly backed up past the Haldon Hill Racecourse junction on the A38, leaving drivers stranded in their cars for over two and a half hours. For local residents trying to navigate the A379 through Exeter or the Alphington Junction on the A377, the morning commute became a test of extreme patience. Neighbors reported seeing frustrated motorists stepping out of their stationary vehicles to stretch their legs on the asphalt, with queues stretching back over nine miles. This stretch of highway is the lifeline of our region, and when Junction 31 locks up, the entire city of Exeter and its surrounding commuter villages feel the squeeze immediately.
Cows on the Carriageway: Dual Incidents Push Local Roads to the Limit
As if the serious collision at the gateway to Exeter was not enough to paralyze the morning rush, a second, highly unusual incident unfolded further north. Southbound traffic between Junction 27 for Tiverton and Junction 28 for Cullompton came to a grinding halt due to stray cows wandering onto the motorway. Police were forced to hold all traffic to protect both the injured animals and motorists, creating a double-ended bottleneck on Devon's primary transit artery. Local farmers and emergency services worked in tandem to safely clear the agricultural escapees, but the knock-on effects were felt deeply by our local business community. Hauliers, delivery drivers, and staff at the Cullompton Service Area found themselves caught in a logistical nightmare. For rural villages like Willand and Uffculme, the bypass traffic quickly overwhelmed narrow country lanes as drivers desperately sought alternative routes. This chaotic morning highlights just how vulnerable our regional infrastructure is to unexpected disruptions, whether from serious highway emergencies or local livestock escaping onto the tarmac.
What Local Residents Need to Know and How to Plan Your Journey
While lanes are slowly reopening and recovery operations wrap up, the residual delays are expected to impact local travel well into the evening. Local residents are advised to avoid major trunk roads around Exeter and Tiverton unless absolutely necessary. For those planning a weekend getaway or welcoming visitors to the region, patience is key. This route is incredibly popular for tourists who go to Newquay to enjoy the spring weather, seek out dog friendly accomodation near Fistral Beach, or explore the rugged North Cornwall coastline. If you are hosting guests or travelling yourself, encourage them to check real-time traffic monitors before setting off. Community groups are already calling for a review of how diversion routes are managed during peak hours to prevent local villages from being completely overwhelmed. For now, keep an eye on local radio updates, look out for vulnerable neighbors who may be delayed returning home, and plan alternative rural routes if you must travel across the county today.
Source: Huge M5 queues after multi-vehicle crash near major junction
