M5 'gridlocks' spark shorter working hours

There are calls for an urgent review after repeated closures along a stretch of the M5 in Somerset have caused "carnage" for businesses.

One local haulage company said it has introduced shorter working hours after frequent disruption.

Meanwhile, an Indian restaurant manager said he felt like he suffered from jet lag after being trapped in a six-hour delay on the route, adding Fridays in summer were "carnage without fail".

The local MP debated the issue in Parliament urging ministers to review procedures to avoid future "gridlocks". National Highways said it always reopened the route as soon as possible, and Avon and Somerset Police added closures were the safest way to gather evidence.

Sean Howe is general manager of Wheeler and Son, a specialist haulage company based at Dunball near Junction 23 of the M5.

"We're a small company right in the heart of the problem and it basically turns us from a five-day working week to a four-and-a-half-day working week - obviously there's a financial impact and we can't deliver what we promised to our customers," he said.

Howe said Bridgwater became an "absolute nightmare" during motorway closures as drivers were diverted through the town on the A38.

Mohammed Rahman is manager of Spice Gallery Indian restaurant on the A38, in North Petherton.

"I got stuck on the motorway earlier this year for six hours. My sat nav showed the road was open. It was a bit like having jet lag by the end of it," he added.

Rahman said he now set an informal curfew for himself to ensure he is back at the restaurant from their wholesalers in Taunton before noon on Fridays.

Charles Quick runs Thurloxton Farm on the A38 between North Petherton and Taunton.

He said queuing traffic past their business, when drivers are diverted off the M5, stops their customers accessing the farm shop.

"It would be nice to see roads reopened faster, but I understand why it has to happen," Quick said.

A debate was held in parliament on Tuesday by Ashley Fox, MP for Bridgwater, who said he had received "numerous complaints" from constituents about the impact of M5 closures and wanted to see National Highways' protocols reviewed.

"Of course public safety must always come first, but we also need to consider the wider impact these closures have on the thousands of people who depend on the M5 every day," he said.

A National Highways spokesperson said they work closely with emergency services and local authorities during unplanned closures, and reopen roads as soon as it is safe to do so.

"We know how these closures affect communities around the M5, and we will keep working with emergency services and Somerset Council to identify ways to improve the process," they added.

Roads Minister Justin Madders MP told the Westminster Hall debate: "Obviously we cannot remove disruption and delay entirely, but we all want to all be clear and confident that National Highways have done absolutely everything they can to minimise that."

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