The M5 motorway has been blocked by an overturned potato lorry.
Emergency services including Devon and Cornwall Police are in attendance. National Highways have deployed resources to assist with traffic management - and is warning that recovery of the vehicle is "expected to be protracted" and the road will remain closed for several hours.
National Highways shared a photo of the incident, showing the carriageway is totally blocked.
The accident happened this morning and the southbound carriageway of the motorway is closed between junctions 27 at Tiverton and 29 at Exeter.
The carriageway remained closed all day.
Tons of potatoes had to be clear from the tarmac before work began on moving the lorry.
![](https://www.wsfp.co.uk/tindle-static/image/2023/12/20/18/18/GBzhF63WoBAd-yj.png.jpg?width=669&height=445&crop=669:445)
National Highways released a statement to motorists: "Traffic caught within the #M5 south closure between J28 & J29 will be turned around and released via the rear of the queue. Please remain in your vehicle and await instructions from Traffic Officers or Police. Please be aware it will take some time to release all traffic."
Road users are advised to follow the solid square diversion symbol on road signs:
- Leave the M5 at J27 and take the 1st exit onto the A38.
- Follow the A38 to the roundabout with the B3181 at Waterloo Cross and take the 2nd exit onto the B3181 southbound.
- Follow the B3181 southbound through Willand to Cullompton.
From Cullompton follow the solid triangle diversion symbol
- Continue southbound on the B3181, passing through Cullompton, Westcott, Budlake (running parallel to the M5) and Broadclyst until the junction with Cumberland Way
- Join Cumberland Way southbound and then at the next roundabout continue straight over onto Moor Lane
- Continue southbound to then re-join the M5 at J30
![](https://www.wsfp.co.uk/tindle-static/image/2023/12/20/18/27/Clearing%20the%20potatoes%20on%20the%20M5.jpg?width=669&height=445&crop=669:445)