ALL three lanes of the M5 were closed because of EIGHT MILES of oil spillage caused by a broken down vehicle.

The lanes were closed this morning (July 19) northbound between junction 26 Wellington and junction 24 Bridgwater.

The closures caused hours of traffic chaos around Taunton and Bridgwater as the traffic was diverted. 

The road reopened at 10.40am this morning. 

A spokesman for Highways England said: "The M5 currently has residual delays of at least 30 minutes between J27 and 26 covering several miles of the northbound carriageway. 

"The delays are due to an earlier incident which closed the road between J26 and 24."

Traffic was diverted to the A38 from Wellington to Bridgwater, causing delays throughout Taunton on other busy routes. 

For more traffic updates click here.