M5 Southbound Carriageway Closed Following Serious Four-Vehicle Collision
The southbound carriageway of the M5 motorway has been completely shut down following a significant multi-vehicle accident in Worcestershire earlier this morning. The closure is in effect between Junction 3 for Kidderminster and Junction 4 for Bromsgrove, with authorities advising motorists to expect severe delays and to seek alternative routes immediately.
Details of the Incident and Immediate Impact
The collision, which involved four vehicles, occurred just before 9am on Friday, February 6, 2026. National Highways West Midlands confirmed the closure via social media, stating that the #M5 is closed southbound between J3 #Kidderminster and J4 #Bromsgrove due to a collision. Traffic monitoring service Inrix reported that all traffic was stopped at approximately 09:05, leading to long delays and congestion stretching back to Junction 2 at Oldbury and Dudley.
Official Diversion Route and Traffic Advice
To manage the disruption, a formal diversion has been put in place for affected travellers. Motorists are being directed to exit at Junction 3 and follow the A456 until Hagley, then take the A491 Stourbridge Road until reaching the Lydiate Ash Interchange, where they can re-join the M5 at Junction 4. This route is designed to bypass the closed section safely, but drivers should anticipate slower journey times due to increased traffic on these alternative roads.
Emergency services are currently on the scene attending to the incident, and the closure is expected to remain in force until the situation is fully resolved and the carriageway is cleared. Commuters and long-distance travellers are strongly urged to check live traffic updates before setting out and to consider postponing non-essential trips if possible to avoid the affected area.
This remains a developing story, with further updates anticipated as more information becomes available from authorities and traffic management teams.
