Motorway closed in both directions over police-led incident and no ETA to reopen

The M5 was closed in both directions on Monday morning because of a 'police-led incident'. National Highways said emergency services responded at around 4.30am to work at the scene

Comments

News

Abigail Hunt Content Editor

07:26, 18 May 2026Updated 08:43, 18 May 2026

[The M5 has been closed both ways this morning]

The M5 has been closed both ways this morning(Image: PA)

A major motorway has been forced to close in both directions because of a "police-led incident".

The M5 motorway has shut both ways between J31 (ShillingfordAbbot) - J30 (Exeter) due to the incident on Monday morning, May 18, at around 4.30am. National Highways has confirmed there are currently no delays, however, the road remains closed while emergency services work at the scene.

Traffic reports say: "M5 in both directions closed, slow traffic due to police incident between J30 A376 Sidmouth Road (Exeter / Service Areas) and J31 A38 (Okehampton turn off)." A National Highways spokesperson said: "The M5 has been closed in both directions between J31 (Shillingford Abbot) - J30 (Exeter) due to a police led incident. No delays on approach."

It added: "Due to the nature of the incident, there is no current estimated time for reopening."

There are six diversions in place depending on where motorists are travelling from and to. Four of the diversions are for northbound traffic.

From A38 eastbound to the M5 northbound: Exit onto the A379 northbound. Continue north on the A379 straight across three roundabouts. Join the M5 northbound at J30.

From A30 eastbound to M5 northbound: Exit A30 at Alphington Interchange on to the A377, turn right onto Marsh Barton Road. Follow Marsh Barton Road and turn right on to Trusham Road through Marsh Barton. Turn left on to B3123 Alphin Brook Road. At the next roundabout turn right on to the B3123 Hennock Road Central. Continue on to B3123 Bad Hornburg Way. At the roundabout with the A379 take the first exit. Follow the A379 across two roundabouts. Join the M5 northbound at J30.
From A30 eastbound to A38 westbound: Exit A30 at Alphington Interchange on to the A377, turn right onto Marsh Barton Road. Follow Marsh Barton Road and turn right on to Trusham Road through Marsh Barton. Turn left on to B3123 Alphin Brook Road. At the next roundabout turn right on to the B3123 Hennock Road Central. Continue on to B3123 Bad Hornburg Way. At the roundabout with the A379 take the third exit. Follow the A379 westbound to join the A38 westbound.
From A38 eastbound to A30 westbound: Exit onto the A379 northbound. At the first roundabout take the second exit on to B3123 Bad Hornburg Way. Continue on to the B3123 Hennock Road Central. At the second roundabout take the first exit on to B3123 Alphin Brook Road. At the next roundabout take the second exit on to Trusham Road. Turn left on to Marsh Barton Road. Turn left on to the A377 and continue to Alphington Interchange to join the A30 westbound.
From M5 southbound to A38 westbound: Exit at J30 of the M5 and at the roundabout take the third exit on to the A379. Remain on the A379 to join the A38.
From M5 southbound to A30 westbound: Exit at J30 of the M5 and at the roundabout take the third exit on to the A379. At the roundabout with the B3123 take the fourth exit on to Bad Hornburg Way. Continue on to the B3123 Hennock Road Central. At the second roundabout take the first exit on to B3123 Alphin Brook Road. At the next roundabout take the second exit on to Trusham Road. Turn left on to Marsh Barton Road. Turn left on to the A377 and continue to Alphington Interchange to join the A30 westbound.

A spokesperson for Devon and Cornwall Police said: "A closure is currently in place between junction 30 (for Exeter) & 31 (for Okehampton) this morning. Police were called around 3.50am this morning, Monday 18 May, to reports of a concern of welfare of a female in Clyst St Mary, Exeter.

Article continues below

"As part of this enquiry, the female was later located on a bridge over the M5. Officers and police negotiators are currently at the scene and a full road closure of the M5 have been put in place as a result. Multiple diversions have been put in place and motorists are being asked to avoid the area and find alternative routes. We will update the public as soon as the incident has been resolved."

When life is difficult, Samaritans are here to listen day or night, 365 days a year. No judgement, no pressure. You can call them for free on 116 123 or visit www.samaritans.org.

[Dailystar Icon]

ENJOYED THIS STORY?

Choose Daily Star as a 'Preferred Source' on Google News for quick access to the news you value.

[Google Preferred Source Badge]

At Reach and across our entities we and our partners use information collected through cookies and other identifiers from your device to improve experience on our site, analyse how it is used and to show personalised advertising. You can opt out of the sale or sharing of your data, at any time clicking the "Do Not Sell or Share my Data" button at the bottom of the webpage. Please note that your preferences are browser specific. Use of our website and any of our services represents your acceptance of the use of cookies and consent to the practices described in our Privacy Notice and Terms and Conditions.