Somerset M5 closed in both directions after 'serious collision'
Highways England is urging motorists to allow extra time for their journeys and consider alternative routes.
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BBC News
8 hours ago
- BBC News
Coroner links blocked drains to fatal King Worthy crash
A motorist died after skidding on a flooded road that had blocked drains and a temporary flood warning sign that had been there for five years, a coroner has Scott, 25, from Kings Worthy, Hampshire, was pronounced dead at the scene of a two-vehicle collision on the A33 near Winchester in July a report sent to Hampshire County Council and National Highways, coroner Rosamund Rhodes-Kemp said more regular maintenance might have cleared the two authorities said they were considering their responses. Mr Scott was driving southbound at about 21:45 BST on 5 July when he hit standing water near the Cart and Horses Vauxhall Corsa crossed the central reservation and collided with an oncoming Ford Ranger truck, the coroner said. In a Prevention of Future Deaths Report, she said: "On examination it was observed that two of the drains to the nearside of the southbound lane were compacted with vegetation, resulting in little or no surface drainage."This is despite annual scheduled maintenance for year 2023/2024 taking place on 19th May 2023 and 15th November 2023."The forensic examiner concluded that the standing water was a contributory factor in the collision."Ms Rhodes-Kemp questioned why only a temporary sign was in place for so added: "Whilst the precise cause of the flooding is unknown, a more regular maintenance schedule may have prevented the build-up of vegetation within the gullies."Hampshire County Council and National Highways have until 18 September to respond to the a statement, the council said: "We are terribly saddened by this tragic incident and our thoughts remain with Mr Scott's loved ones at this extremely difficult time."We are considering our response to the coroner's report and are unable to comment any further while this process is ongoing."National Highways said: "Our thoughts are with the family and friends of James Scott following this tragic incident."We will review the coroner's report and respond within the deadline." You can follow BBC Hampshire & Isle of Wight on Facebook, X (Twitter), or Instagram.
BBC News
9 hours ago
- BBC News
A30 underpass in Cornwall to be filled in after bridge opened
An underpass on a new stretch of the A30 is being filled in five years after it was built because it has been "superseded" by a tunnel near the Chiverton junction is being closed because it is so near to a bridge with the same function, the Local Democracy Reporting Services (LDRS) Highways said the underpass had proved redundant and would be bricked underpass was built at the start of the A30 dualling project in 2021. The £2.68m bridge was built 450 metres away last year as part of the Saints Trails. 'Superseded' Andrew Clark, National Highways' senior project manager on the A30 Chiverton to Carland Cross scheme, said: "One of the key benefits of the A30 upgrade is to improve and increase connectivity for local communities living alongside the said Cornwall Council's bridge, which opened in April 2024 with National Highways funding, was "already offering excellent provision for cyclists, horse riders and other non-motorised users to cross the busy A30 route".Mr Clark added: "The Chiverton underpass has now been superseded by the construction of the Saints Trail bridge and, with the agreement of Cornwall Council, we have taken the decision to infill the underpass and point non-motorised users to the bridge, which is just 450 metres away."He said infilling the underpass would save maintenance costs and prevent anti-social behaviour.A National Highways spokesperson said the agency "always scrutinises costs on any project to ensure value for money for the taxpayer".
The Independent
9 hours ago
- The Independent
Traffic hits M60 and M62 after fuel spill
Delays have hit two motorways due to a fuel spill and a broken-down vehicle. Commuters on the M60 and M62 have both been hit by traffic following the incident, though the queues are now starting to ease. The incident occurred on the M60 clockwise carriageway at junction 13, near Worsley, Salford. Two lanes of the motorway were closed from around 5.15am to 9.30am, causing delays down to junction 9. A specialist team was called to clear the fuel spill. Long queues built up subsequently on the M62 eastbound, between junctions 11 for Birchwood and 12 for the Eccles Interchange. Previously, the National Highways North-West said there were delays up to 30 minutes on the M60 back to junction nine for Trafford Park, and on the M62 east back to junction 11 for Risley. The queues have since started to ease.
