Major motorway closed after early morning blaze with 7 MILES of delays sparking chaos for commuters
A MAJOR motorway has been closed after an early morning blaze with commuters facing seven miles of delays.
Traffic is being held on the M5 southbound between junction three for Quinton and four for Bromsgrove after an HGV fire.
The entry slip roads at both junctions are also closed.
Traffic is being released via lane 3 and the southbound entry slip has re-opened, said National Highways.
The blaze has now been brought under control but the knock-on effects of the incident are still being felt by motorists.
As a result, drivers are facing a lengthy wait with delays of up to 30 minutes on their usual journey times.
Read More in Motors
There is understood to be at least seven miles of congestion on approach.
Traffic is expected to remain slow throughout the morning while authorities work to resolve the situation.
Commuters are advised to avoid the area if possible or find alternative routes, as the closure is causing significant hold-ups.
West Midlands Roads tweeted: "Roads around A456 Manor Way and Quinton Expressway are seeing a direct impact as a result.
Most read in Motors
"Allow extra travel time."
It comes after a major crash on the M5 southbound caused chaos yesterday morning.
The closure between junctions 19 (Gordano) and 20 (Clevedon) resulted in the closure of lanes 1 and 2, leaving only two lanes open to traffic.
Meanwhile, motorists have been warned of delays and diversions next weekend as a major road tunnel is set to close in both directions.
The Kingsway Tunnel on the A59, which connects Liverpool to Wallasey, will be fully shut to traffic in order for key maintenance work to take place.
Also known as the Wallasey Tunnel, the busy route will close in both directions from 7pm on Sunday, March 23, until 6.30am on Monday, March 24.
Merseytravel said the closure is part of an "ongoing investment and modernisation programme" that aims to "futureproof" the tunnels.
The route is a key part of the city region's transport network and is one of just two road crossings underneath the River Mersey.
Diversion routes will be in place to help ensure drivers can connect their journeys, however heavy goods vehicles (HGVs) will be more limited with where they can travel.
Read More on The Sun
Most motorists will be able to use the nearby Queensway (Birkenhead) Tunnel which operates in both directions.
However, HGVs are not permitted to use this route so will likely have to find an alternative route using bridges to cross the River Mersey near Runcorn.
