M5 West Bromwich RECAP: Crash shuts major motorway as woman seriously injured

Olivia Beeson UK & World News Reporter The M5 in West Midlands closed southbound between J1 (West Bromwich) and J2 (Oldbury) following a serious collision. Police have confirmed that following the crash at around 2.20am a woman is seriously injured. A car hit the central reservation and closures were in place for some time, with miles of congestion. The road has now fully reopened. New Updates Today05:51 BST M5 reopens following serious crash The M5 southbound is now open between J1 West Bromwich and J2 Oldbury following a serious collision. There remains 20 minute delays and two miles of congestion on the approach. Olivia Beeson Today05:47 BST Woman seriously injured in crashA woman has been seriously injured in the collision, police confirm. The force added that the closures are likely to be in place for some time after the vehicle hit the central reservation. A spokesperson for West Midlands Police said: "The M5 southbound is closed between J1 and J2, while lane three is closed northbound, after a car hit the central reservation at around 2.20am today. "A woman has been seriously injured, and closures are likely to be in place for some time." Olivia Beeson Today05:36 BST Queues build on M5As police remain on scene at the collision, queues continue to build on the motorway. Queues are building on the major motorway(Image: Traffic Cameras ) Olivia Beeson ‌ Today05:25 BST Two miles of congestionThere is currently two miles of congestion on the M5 following the serious collision. Traffic cameras show long queues building up on the motorway. There is no indication as to when the road will reopen. Olivia Beeson Today05:21 BST National Highways warns to 'allow extra time'A spokesperson for National Highways said: "If this closure impacts on your planned route, please allow extra journey time. Plan ahead, you may wish to re-route or even delay your journey." Olivia Beeson Today05:12 BST Traffic released via hard shoulderTraffic caught within the closure is being released past the scene on the hard shoulder. According to National Highways there are 30 minute delays and two miles of congestion on approach. Olivia Beeson ‌ Today05:11 BST Diversion route Traffic is being diverted via the hollow triangle symbol on road signs: Exit M5 at Junction 1 and take the 2nd exit onto A4252 southbound. Continue on A4252 southbound to the A4252/A457 roundabout. At the A4252/A457 roundabout, take the 3rd exit (right) onto A457 westbound. Continue on A457 westbound to the A457/A4034 roundabout.