We are now closing down this live coverage of the traffic chaos caused by the closure of the M5.

Get home safely if you are still heading home.

This is the latest image from Google on how Bristol's roads look.

The red areas are where the traffic is either at a standstill or moving slowly.

Bristol City and Derby County fans will be hoping to make it to Ashton Gate in time for their match later.

Image source, Google

Image source, Getty Images

Derby County fans have also been warned to expect delays, external on their way to Ashton Gate for tonight's Championship match.

The club has told supporters to expect delays as the stadium is close to some of the roads such as the Cumberland Basin and Portway which have been badly affected.

First Bus West of England said earlier that it was experiencing "severe delays" to all services in the city, with Clifton particularly badly affected.

Passengers have been told to expect delays and check the company's social media channels and website., external

As predicted, although the motorway has reopened there is still a knock-on for traffic due to the length of the earlier closure.

This picture taken by BBC journalist Alex Howick shows the current situation on the Portway at Shirehampton.

Bristol Airport, in a post on X, has reminded drivers that although the M5 has reopened, delays are still expected, external in the area.

"Please allow extra time if travelling in the area as long delays remain of at least 60 min," it said.

Image source, Getty Images

Avon and Somerset Police has thanked people caught up in today's traffic jams for their "patience and understanding".

In a statement the force said: “Safety must always be our main priority and it was necessary to close the motorway in both directions for that reason.

“The closures were put in place to divert traffic off the motorway at strategic locations but inevitably that has had a significant impact on travel times, and we understand how frustrating that has been for a large number of people today.

“We have taken calls from motorists stuck in traffic and when welfare concerns have been raised we have sought to work with partners to resolve those as best we can.

“Updates around the road closures, delays and releasing trapped traffic have been shared by agencies including ourselves and National Highways this afternoon on social media.

“While we would ordinarily wish to provide an estimate as to how long a road may need to be closed, given the sensitive circumstances of this particular incident it would have been impossible to provide an accurate prediction, and may have led to further issues.

“We’re pleased to say the incident has now been brought to a safe conclusion and the M5 has reopened.”

Amanda Vanstone got in touch after being stuck in the tailbacks.

"We set off at 09:20 GMT from Holsworthy in Devon, and hit traffic at Weston-super-Mare around 12:15," she said.

"While we’ve been sat here, we saw a few people going off to use facilities in the hedge, and one car overheated.

"We’d rather be sat on the motorway for a little while instead of coming off at Portishead. If we get off here I can’t see it being resolved as traffic is bad in Bristol."

There are still knock-on delays across Bristol despite the M5 reopening.

• The A4 Portway is still showing slow moving traffic in both directions
• The M32 is slow southbound towards Bristol city centre
• The A370 Long Ashton Bypass and the A38 to and from Bristol Airport are also running slowly.
• There are also significant delays around Ashton Gate Stadium and Bedminster ahead of Bristol City's match against Derby County later - kick off at 8pm.

National Highways has confirmed that the M5 is now open in both directions, external near Bristol.

Drivers have been warned that there will still be considerable delays after the motorway was shut for several hours.

Raymond Wade was travelling from his home in Weston-super-Mare to Portishead when the traffic "suddenly stopped" in front of him.

He said the wait was "excruciating".

"We've been here for five hours now," he added.

"I've got some water in the car and I've managed to stretch my legs when it's not been raining."

Simon Williams from the RAC told BBC Radio Bristol that it was a "really difficult day today".

He added: "We’re very mindful this is a serious incident so our thoughts are with people affected.

"People are trying to find any way home and it shows how fragile our road network is."

Traffic in both directions over the Avonmouth Bridge is now on the move.

We can see cars and lorries on the move now. So if you're stuck in the queues, it hopefully won't be long now.

Simon Harrison-Boyle has got in touch to say his wife has been stuck for four hours.

He said she had seen people struggling as they needed the toilet.

"She was trying to get to Portishead from Weston-super-Mare and left around 12:30 GMT.

"She should have come off at Clevedon but got stuck, there is no information," he said.

Avon and Somerset Constabulary closed the M5 from junction 19 for Portishead to junction 18 - where the M5 meets the M49 - at about 12:15pm, due to a "police-led incident".

National Highways says the incident has come to a conclusion and traffic is still being directed off the M5 at Portishead.

Some drivers have been trapped in queues for more than five hours.

There are also long delays on the M32 and Portway.

In a message on X, external, Bristol City have advised fans travelling to Ashton Gate for tonight's game against Derby to allow extra time for their journey.

"It could take several hours to resume to normal traffic, once open.

"Traffic can still travel southbound using the second lane, but significant delays are expected.

"Please allow extra time for your journey if you are travelling via this route."

Image source, Reuters

Although National Highways has said the incident has come to a conclusion and traffic is still being directed off the M5 at Portishead.

Here's a view of the junction a few moments ago.

Image source, National Highways

A Bristol Airport spokesperson urged people to "seek alternative routes" and "allow extra time" for travelling to the airport.

They added: “Flights are running as scheduled currently with no reported impact to airlines, crew or customers.

"We continue to advise all customers to allow extra time to travel to the airport. The A1 and A3 Flyer bus service is also operating as scheduled.”