These were the scenes on the M5 motorway between Burnham-On-Sea and Bridgwater on Thursday (May 16th) as fire crews attended a large fuel spill which caused the overnight closure of the northbound carriageway.
Fire crews were called to the fuel spill from a roadworks lorry on the northbound carriageway between junctions 22 and 23, as pictured, just after 6pm and three-mile queues of traffic quickly formed.
A fire spokesman said: “Two fire appliances from Bridgwater, together with an Environmental Protection Unit from Taunton, were mobilised following a request from the Highways Agency for our assistance to help deal with a large diesel spill from a roadworks lorry.”
“As a result of the spillage, which was later confirmed to be 650 litres, the section of motorway was closed for resurfacing.”
“Crews assisted Highways and the site contractors by soaking up the diesel with specialist environmental pads and preventing it from entering any drains or watercourses, before leaving duty of care with the Highways Agency.”
Highways England said the incident caused 2.7 miles of congestion between Bridgwater and Burnham-On-Sea, with long delays to usual journey times.
Highways England shut the northbound carriageway for emergency resurfacing work overnight.
