Chaos as van crash closes stretch of A5 in Shrewsbury
One lane of the A5 was closed to rush hour traffic this morning after a van hit a barrier on the outskirts of Shrewsbury.
The incident happened between the Emstrey Island and Preston Island in the eastbound direction shortly after 7am.
The road was initially partially blocked but investigations of the scene found the barrier needed to be replaced, requiring the full closure of the road.
Inspector Jane Fitzpatrick, from West Mercia Police, said the decision to close the road was taken shortly before 8.30am.
"The barrier needs to be replaced immediately. The road is going to be closed," she said.
She said no one had been injured in the incident.
One motorist said: "Traffic - even before the rush hour started - was at an absolute standstill.
"Lorries were blocking the island at Emstrey because they simply had nowhere to go. This made it increasingly difficult for anyone trying to use the alternative route along the old A5 through Atcham."
Diversion routes were put in place and the Highways Agency was hoping to clear the road by 11.15am.
