M5 Closures Halt Traffic Between J31 and J30 in Devon

The M5 closures stopped traffic in both directions on Monday morning, May 18, between J31 at Shillingford Abbot and J30 at Exeter after a police-led incident. National Highways said there were no delays at the time of its update, but the road stayed shut while emergency services worked at the scene.

National Highways and Devon Police

National Highways said, “Due to the nature of the incident, there is no current estimated time for reopening.” That left drivers on a key stretch of the motorway without a timetable for when the road would reopen.

Devon and Cornwall Police said there were 6 diversions in place for motorists on the M5. National Highways said multiple diversion routes were operating depending on where drivers were heading from and to.

J30 Diversion Routes

One route sent motorists from J30 onto the A379 and then to the A38. Another took traffic from J30 onto the A379, then the B3123 Bad Hornburg Way, the B3123 Hennock Road Central, the B3123 Alphin Brook Road, Trusham Road, Marsh Barton Road, the A377, and Alphington Interchange to join the A30 westbound.

For traffic from the A38 eastbound to the M5 northbound, the diversion used the A379 northbound and J30. A separate route from the A30 at Alphington Interchange used the A377, Marsh Barton Road, Trusham Road, the B3123 Alphin Brook Road, the B3123 Hennock Road Central, the A379, and J30.

Motorists on the M5

The closure covered both directions at a busy point between Exeter and Shillingford Abbot, and the incident remained active while emergency services stayed at the scene. Drivers needing help were also given the Samaritans number, 116 123, with the reminder that the service is available day or night, 365 days a year.