M5 fire: Drivers face road chaos as huge lorry blaze forces emergency resurfacing of busy motorway

Motorists are facing delays on a busy motorway this morning following a vehicle fire, which has prompted emergency resurfacing.A fire involving a heavy goods vehicle has prompted the M5 in Worcestershire to close northbound between J5 near Droitwich and J4A (M42).The fire was first reported just after 10.30pm on Tuesday evening, with traffic caught within the closure originally being released via lane four.National Highways: West Midlands confirmed that contractors were en route to the scene to assess the road surface. TRENDING Stories Videos Your Say Shortly before rush hour, the transport organisation confirmed that recovery of the lorry was ongoing.Following the recovery, National Highways stated that the road would need to be resurfaced once recovery is complete.The M5 has now reopened between J5 and J4a, with drivers facing delays of 10 minutes and one mile of congestion.GB News has contacted the fire service for an update.National Highways warned: If this closure impacts on your planned route, please allow extra journey time. Plan ahead, you may wish to re-route or even delay your journey.Photos from the scene show a number of firefighters attempting to extinguish the lorry blaze.Drivers impacted by the closure are being encouraged to follow the signposted diversion route.LATEST DEVELOPMENTSCongestion charge and LTN fines cancelled after council realised drivers were 'deceased'Drivers issued urgent warning with 'important' messages displayed alongside key roadsDiesel and manual cars could go 'extinct' and disappear from UK roads 'as soon as 2030'Road users travelling northbound are advised to follow the Solid Diamond diversion symbol on signsExit the M5 at J5 and take the second exit onto the A38 northboundContinue on the A38 through Wychbold, Bromsgrove, Lickey End, to Lydiate Ash to the M5 J4Take the third exit to rejoin the M5 northbound at J4Traffic bound for the M42 northbound can join that motorway on the above diversion route via J1 of the M42 (Lickey End).Drivers are also facing difficulties on the A12 between J19 Boreham Interchange (Braintree, Stansted Airport A130; Boreham B1137) and J25 Marks Tey Interchange (Braintree A120).The road closure has been prompted because overnight resurfacing work took longer than expected to complete due to a delayed delivery of tarmac to the site.The road was scheduled to be reopened by 5am, with a diversion route being introduced for drivers impacted by the delays.Diversion routeLeave the A12 northbound at junction 19Follow the A131 and A120Re-join the A12 at junction 25 Our Standards: The GB News Editorial Charter