During a recent prolonged closure of the M5 motorway in Somerset, a local councillor openly admitted to deliberately blocking a village road with his tractor and trailer, highlighting growing frustrations over the recurring traffic disruptions.
The M5 has experienced multiple lengthy closures over the past two years, causing severe congestion and impacting communities throughout Somerset. These incidents have frustrated motorists and put significant strain on local roads and residents.
Bill Revans, leader of Somerset Council and representative of North Petherton—where junction 24 of the M5 is located—has formally raised concerns with Avon & Somerset Constabulary and National Highways, emphasizing the severe impact these closures have on residents and local businesses alike.
Councillor Alan Bradford, the Conservative representative for the same division, confessed at a June 4 council meeting that, during one lengthy M5 shutdown, he intentionally blocked Moon Lane—a key route connecting North Newton to the A38—using his tractor and trailer. Bradford said his actions aimed to protect local residents from the influx of heavy vehicles diverting through the village.
“We could see the villages being overwhelmed by these large vehicles rerouted off the motorway,” Bradford explained. “It wasn’t just businesses losing money; the road structures are suffering damage, and residents were fed up.”
He recalled that police arrived within minutes of his roadblock, but despite a threat of arrest, he held his position for an hour and a half to make a point. “They can lock me up – that won’t stop me talking,” he declared.
No further police action has been taken against Bradford. His dramatic protest has intensified calls for better management of motorway closures and their effects on local communities.
The council’s climate, environment and place scrutiny committee, which first heard Bradford’s admission, will not fully address M5 closure management until late November. Meanwhile, councillors continue to push for more coordination between National Highways and the police.
Councillor Andy Dingwall emphasized the need for updates ahead of the committee meeting, while Councillor Richard Wilkins, portfolio holder for highways and transport, expressed frustration over scheduling joint sessions with National Highways and law enforcement, describing the issue as “thorny.”
Wilkins highlighted the frequency of closures, noting a recent ten-day period with multiple M5 shutdowns that have intensified concerns over road safety and the impact on local infrastructure.
Committee chair Councillor Gwilym Wren acknowledged the scheduling challenges but affirmed the committee’s commitment to addressing the problem, even if it requires separate meetings with key stakeholders.
As the council grapples with worsening motorway closures and their ripple effects, Bradford’s bold protest underscores the urgency felt by local officials and residents alike to find lasting solutions.