5.50pm:
We are currently releasing trapped traffic via lane 3 on the #M5 southbound between J7 and J8 but the road remains closed for @HFRS to continue to extinguish a HGV fire and its load of hay bales. Diversion - https://t.co/Plma9alDkW
— Highways England (@HighwaysWMIDS) July 19, 2018
4.30pm:
The carriageway is to close for two hours.
West Mercia Police Operations and Communications Centre has tweeted an update on this, reporting that the southbound carriageway will be closed until around 6.30pm this evening
Police are advising to avoid the M5.
Original story:
THE southbound of the M5 is closed due to a lorry on fire.
The lorry, carrying bales of hay, is well alight and emergency services are at the scene.
Firefighters are tackling the lorry fire between the junctions of Junction 7, at Whittington and 8, Strensham.
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