M5 motorway closed in both directions after dead man’s body found

Following the discovery of a deceased person on the carriageway, the M5 motorway has been blocked in both directions.

Early on Tuesday morning, police blocked the motorway between Brockworth’s junction 11A and Quedgeley’s junction 12.

According to a Gloucestershire Constabulary spokeswoman, “Officers responded to the scene, on the southbound carriageway, about a mile north of Gloucester Services, and have closed both sides of the motorway while the body is recovered and a serious incident investigation takes place.”

The body was discovered on the carriageway, and the police were contacted just before 4.10 am.

There will probably be significant travel disruption as a result of the 10-mile section of the M5 being closed.

On Tuesday morning, it forced drivers to frantically search for alternate routes to the South West and Midlands.

The “significant” disruption was “likely to last for a number of hours while police continue [to] work at the scene and establish the circumstances,” according to a police spokesperson.

Chesterfield Constabulary tweeted, “Officers will be at the scene for some hours to recover the body.”

There have been roadside diversions and the opening of a serious incident investigation by detectives.