EMERGENCY repair work on the M5 is causing congestion to back up to the Worcester section of the motorway this morning. 

Lane one, of three, is closed near the exit slip on the M5 southbound at Junction 8 for the M50, causing queuing traffic on the southbound carriageway.

The congestion extends to Junction 7 at Worcester. 

Worcester News: CONGESTION: Picture of the red line highlighting the congestion on the M5CONGESTION: Picture of the red line highlighting the congestion on the M5 (Image: National Highways)

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National Highways has said there is a defect on the carriageway, causing lane one and the hard shoulder to currently be closed.

Melanie Beaumont, National Highways duty operations manager, said: "We are currently carrying out some inspections at the location to better understand what has caused the issue.

"While that work takes place we’d like to encourage motorists to leave additional times for their journeys while travelling through this stretch of the M5.”