M5 Closed In Somerset Due To Ice And Collisions On Road

[mikey4444]

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-somerset-38442975

Considering the huge amounts of traffic that this stretch of the M5 takes in a normal day, there must be complete pandemonium in the area this morning.

Frost was widely forecast, so why was the Highways Agency caught out like this ?

[jourdain2]

They shouldn't have been caught out. Possibly something to do with Mon. being Boxing day?

Local shop closed today so had to drive over the tops to get newspaper, completely white over with frost and I was driving following tyre marks made by farmers' tractors. Very pretty, but a major motorway should have been gritted.

[mikey4444]

jourdain2.........the gritters were out last night on the M4, as the Depot is only about 2 miles away.

By the way....where do you live ?

[jourdain2]

East Riding of Yorkshire. About 10 miles inland from Filey in one of the Wolds villages. Completely beautiful - if inconvenient! (Not a Herculis to be got yesterday!)

[TWR]

Would it right is saying, this could only happen in Britain? Unbelievable.

[New Judge]

It was the wrong type of frost.

The management of transport infrastructure in the UK is an absolute disgrace.

[Cloverjo]

Yes, it was ridiculous. I live nearby and we going to attempt to go one junction on the M5 after taking son to train station. It was chaos on the roundabout, so we spent ages trying get off it to go back. Our side was empty, but the other way was packed.

How long would it take to get a gritter on the ice? Useless!

[TWR]

Did someone within the transport Ministers office say the are trying to reduce car Accidents?

[mikey4444]

This must have caused complete havoc, in an already overcrowded road network, and yet still no apology or explanation from the Highways Agency.

Plus one is being forecast tonight, and probably lower than that on the Avonmouth Bridge....perhaps they will grit tonight ?

[naomi24]

Cloverjo, which side was packed? I have family travelling the M5 today.

[Cloverjo]

Naomi, the north bound side between Burnham on Sea and Bristol. I would have thought it would have cleared during the day.

[naomi24]

Cloverjo, thanks. I'm pleased to say my lot are heading south.