THE closure of the M5 near Quedgeley after the discovery of a body on the carriageway shortly after 4am this morning has caused major Wyedean traffic chaos today.

People travelling from the Forest of Dean to Gloucester were taking up to four hours owing to the gridlock, while traffic was also heavy on the A40 from Ross-on-Wye towards Monmouth and along the M50.

The A40 roundabout at Over was jammed for much of the day, and increased traffic on the M50 was causing further pressure as the evening rush hour began.

Lydney high street also came to a standstill this afternoon when a collision involving two cars around 3.30pm saw emergency services rush to the scene.

An elderly woman driver had to be released from one of the smashed cars, which had come to a halt blocking the centre of the main road through the town just beside the Dean Forest Railway crossing.

Police closed the road to traffic while emergency services dealt with the incident, and long queues of traffic into and out of the town quickly built up.

Police had earlier closed the M5 between junctions 11a and 12 after a body was found on the carriageway just before 4.10am (October 30).

A Gloucestershire Police spokesperson said this afternoon: “We’re appealing for witnesses and dashcam footage from anyone who travelled either southbound or northbound between junctions 11 and 12 on the M5 from 3.45am to 4.20am today.

“Road closures and diversions remain in place while officers establish the circumstances.”

Specialist Capabilities Chief Inspector Alistair Barby said: “We appreciate that these closures have caused a significant impact on people travelling in the area today and I would like to thank everyone for their continued patience throughout this.

“Our officers remain at the scene investigating the circumstances of what has taken place and we have had a number of people contact us with information following our appeals.

“We’re working to get the roads open as soon as possible and hopeful that the northbound carriageway will be opened later this afternoon and we will keep you updated on this.

“Our officers are also being supported and assisted by colleagues from both Wiltshire Police and Avon and Somerset Police and I would like to pass my thanks on to them.

“While we understand how much impact these closures are having, someone has died and it is our responsibility to get answers for their family as to what has happened, while also protecting the dignity of the person involved.

“The investigation continues and we are still keen to hear from anyone who has not yet contacted police who travelled between junctions 11 and 12 on either carriageway between 3.45am and 4.15am today.

“Information can be given to police by calling 101 and quoting incident 34 of 30 September.”