Motorists ended up trapped on the key route between Bridgwater and Taunton on Friday. The hot weather hit warm levels. broken-down motors forced drivers to step out of traffic. Police shut lanes near junction 25. Delays spanned around two hours.
A school trip from Taunton hit trouble overnight when police closed the exit. In Worcestershire, speed offences reached notable numbers in a recent check. Many offences were on M5 sections near Worcester and Tewkesbury.
Travellers reported standing traffic through the afternoon as the mercury rose. A few motors came to a stop on the main road, prompting police to act quickly. The bus passengers from a Taunton school had already faced trouble staying overnight when the exit slip was closed. Traffic police said the heat had left several drivers struggling to keep moving.
Further north, a recent speed operation had clocked up tens of thousands of speed offences. A wide share of them were clocked on M5 stretches near Worcester and Tewkesbury, prompting warnings from local residents. Police have urged road users to check their cars before setting off in hot spells.