The M5 has reopened after a serious crash closed it in both directions in Somerset.
The motorway has been closed following a serious collision near Bridgwater today.
One person was taken to hospital after the incident between J23 and J24.
Cars were seen queuing on the eerily quiet motorway before traffic was released this afternoon.
Elsewhere, two Just Stop Oil protesters were arrested at Heathrow Airport, and the Tube was hit by severe disruption this morning.
The Tube has been hit by severe disruption ahead of what could be the UK’s hottest day of the year, with temperatures expected to reach 32C in London.
The Circle, District, Elizabeth and Hammersmith & City lines suffered major disruption after points failed and engineering work was delayed.
Flights cancelled at Heathrow Airport
Some flights have been cancelled today from Heathrow Airport.
The following Heathrow flights have been cancelled today according to Flightradar24.
British Airways Flight BA1472 7:05am to Glasgow
British Airways Flight BA564 at 7:10 for Milan
Qantas QF10 11:55am in Perth
ARTICLE ME204 at 10pm in Beirut
These cancellations are not related to the Just Stop Oil protest that took place this morning at Heathrow Terminal 5.
M5 reopens after serious accident
The highway has been reopened in both directions after the serious accident earlier.
One person was rushed to hospital by land ambulance, police said.
Most lanes are now open southbound and northbound between J23 and J24 near Bridgwater, while the outer lanes in both directions remain closed to facilitate repairs to the central reservation barriers.
Drivers should still expect residual delays of up to 60 minutes before traffic improves.
Avon and Somerset Police have appealed for witnesses to the collision.
Anyone with information or dashcam footage should call 101 and quote reference 5224198427.
Elizabeth Line to be closed until afternoon
There are currently no Elizabeth line services between Abbey Wood and Paddington station, and serious delays between Paddington and Heathrow Airport and Reading.
Disruptions are expected until at least 3 p.m.
This is due to the delay in completing the engineering work.
A TfL spokesperson said: “We apologise to Elizabeth Line customers for the disruption to their journeys this morning. This was caused by a breakdown on an engineering train overnight. We are working as quickly as possible to restore a normal service.”
Air ambulance lands on M5
National Roads Authority said an air ambulance had landed following the crash on the M5.
All emergency services are in attendance and the southbound carriageway between J23 and J24 remains closed.
The number of casualties is not yet known, but traffic expert Inrix said a van was involved travelling from J23 (A39, Bridgwater North) to J24 (A38, Taunton Road).
One lane has been reopened on the northbound carriageway, while three remain closed for barrier repairs.
There are delays of about 60 minutes both north and south, National Highways said.
Serious accident leads to closure of M5 motorway
The M5 in Somerset has been closed following a serious crash this morning.
The motorway is closed between J23 and J24 near Bridgwater following the incident.
Traffic was blocked after emergency services closed all lanes in both directions.
Drivers should expect delays and detours are in place.
Are flights at Heathrow Airport affected by Just Stop Oil?
Today’s Just Stop Oil protest took place during the peak summer holiday season.
But this did not disrupt flights at Terminal 5.
Heathrow Airport said the protest incident was resolved “quickly” and the departures board showed no cancellations at T5.
An airport spokesperson told Metro.co.uk: “The airport continues to operate as normal and passengers are travelling as planned.
“We fully agree that the aviation industry must decarbonize, but illegal and irresponsible protest activities are not the way forward and will not be tolerated.”
Protesters arrested at Heathrow Airport
Just Stop Oil protesters were evacuated from the airport after activists sprayed Terminal 5 with the group’s signature orange paint.
Two Just Stop Oil protesters have been arrested on suspicion of criminal damage and officers will remain in the area to monitor further protests, the Metropolitan Police said.
Police said: “Two Just Stop Oil protesters have been arrested on suspicion of criminal damage after orange paint was sprayed on passenger information screens and the floor inside Heathrow Terminal 5.
“Officers remain on site to deal with any further offences.”
Today’s protest follows a series of actions in the UK by Just Stop Oil and Extinction Rebellion and other climate groups across Europe.
Just Stop Oil calls for an end to fossil fuel use by 2030, and the group is known for its actions targeting roads and airports.
Just Stop Oil targets Heathrow Airport
Just Stop Oil supporters have targeted Heathrow again, just days after protesters attempted to storm a runway at the busy airport.
Activists were seen spraying orange paint on windows, walls and the departure board of Terminal 5 this morning before staging a sit-in protest.
It comes after the group blocked the departure area of Gatwick Airport yesterday.
Accident on M25 at Dartford Crossing
An accident on the M25 is causing delays on the motorway near Dartford Crossing.
One lane has been closed on the A13 eastbound exit onto the M25 following a crash.
Traffic should return to normal around 10:30 a.m.
Trains to Heathrow disrupted until midday
The chaos on the London Underground also affected trains between Paddington and Heathrow terminals and Abbey Wood on the Elizabeth line.
Major disruptions are expected until 12:00 p.m.
National Rail said: “Overrunning engineering works between London Paddington and Whitechapel mean all lines are blocked.
“As a result, the service is suspended between London Paddington and Stratford/Abbey Wood.”
There are currently no Elizabeth line services to Bond Street, Tottenham Court Road, Farringdon, Whitechapel, Canary Wharf, Custom House and Woolwich.
Were you affected by this morning’s disruption? Please email noora.mykkanen@metro.co.uk.
Chaos in the metro after a serious disruption
London Underground passengers were left in a nightmare this morning after several Tube lines were disrupted.
Commuters had difficulty getting around the city during rush hour after Here are all the lines affected.
Circle line
No clockwise services and severe anti-clockwise delays due to a points failure at Edgware Road.
District line
No service between Edgware Road and High Street Kensington due to a point failure.
Elizabeth Line
No services between Abbey Wood/Paddington, and severe delays between Paddington and Heathrow Airport due to late completion of engineering works.
Hammersmith & City
Serious delays due to power outage at Edgware.
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