UPDATE: The M5 has now fully reopened

THE M5 motorway is closed between Junction 14 at Falfield and Junction 16 at Almondsbury, following a fatal collision involving a man and a lorry.

Police were called this morning to the incident near the sliproad of the northbound junction of the Almondsbury Interchange onto the M5 at 4.40am today.

A police spokesman said that they believe that the man had left his car which was parked on the hard shoulder and was then hit by a lorry while in the main carriageway of the motorway.

The northbound carriageway of the M5 between Junction 16 at Almondsbury and Junction 14 at Falfield remain closed.

Avon and Somerset Constabulary Ch Insp John Holt said: "We're fully aware of the impact the M5 closure is having on motorists.

"We have to make sure we've completed all our investigative enquiries at the scene and ensure the motorway is cleared and safe to use.

"This work is progressing well and we hope to re-open the carriageway as soon as possible, but we can't put a time estimate on this yet.

"We appreciate everyone's continued patience and understanding."

A police spokesman said: “A lorry was in collision with a pedestrian just before 4.40am today. Other vehicles are believed to have struck the pedestrian following this initial collision.

"We’re carrying out an investigation at the scene and are working with Highways England to ensure all measures are in place to recover vehicles and clear the scene as quickly as possible."

South Western Ambulance Service were called at 4.45am and sent two ambulances, one rapid response vehicle, and a crew from their HART team to the scene.

Officers are working with Highways England to put diversions in place.

Traffic attempting to join the M5 northbound from the M4 are advised to take the M5 southbound to junction 16, returning along the A38.

Traffic heading towards the M5 on the M4 westbound may wish to exit at Swindon (Junction 15) taking the A419 and the A417 northbound to re-join at the M5 northbound at junction 11A.

Meanwhile, motorists using the M5 northbound and M4 eastbound approaches are advised to take the M4 eastbound, again to junction 15 and use the A419/A417 to re-join at junction 11A of the M5.

Motorists are advised to follow the directions put in place and add extra time for their journey this morning, with the closure expected to be in place until between 12.15pm and 12.30pm.

Lengthy queues have been reported on the M5, M32 and on the A38 around Thornbury and up to Dursley with traffic generally slow throughout the surrounding area.

As of 10.38am all lanes on the M5 southbound between Junction 14 and Junction 15 have be reopened.