A major police incident on the M5 motorway near Birmingham caused severe disruption during Wednesday evening's rush hour, bringing traffic to a complete standstill and creating miles of queues.
The chaos unfolded between junctions 1 and 2 of the M5 northbound, close to West Bromwich and Oldbury, where emergency services including multiple police vehicles and the Warwickshire and Northamptonshire Air Ambulance responded to a serious incident.
Complete Gridlock During Peak Travel
Commuters faced nightmare conditions as all northbound lanes were temporarily closed, with traffic backing up for several miles. The closure created a domino effect across the region's road network as drivers sought alternative routes.
National Highways confirmed the severity of the situation, stating: "All traffic is being temporarily held due to a police-led incident." The organisation warned motorists to expect significant delays and consider postponing their journeys if possible.
Air Ambulance Deployment
The seriousness of the incident was underscored by the deployment of the Warwickshire and Northamptonshire Air Ambulance, which landed near the scene to provide critical medical assistance. The presence of the air ambulance indicated the potentially life-threatening nature of the emergency.
West Midlands Police remained at the scene throughout the evening, managing traffic flow and conducting their investigation while recovery operations worked to clear the affected area.
Regional Travel Impact
The motorway closure had far-reaching consequences beyond the immediate area, affecting:
- Evening commuters heading towards Birmingham and the Black Country
- Commercial freight and delivery vehicles
- Public transport services in the wider West Midlands region
- Local road networks as drivers diverted through residential areas
Travel experts advised that residual delays would likely continue into the night even after the road fully reopened, as the backlog of vehicles gradually cleared.
