Motorists got stuck on the M5 between Bridgwater and Taunton on Friday. The summertime heat hit high levels. stalled engines forced drivers to step out of traffic. Police shut lanes near the local junction. Delays spanned around two hours.

A school journey from Taunton hit trouble overnight when police closed the exit. In Worcestershire, speed offences reached a high total in a recent operation. Many offences were on M5 sections near Worcester and Tewkesbury.

Travellers reported slow-moving queues through the afternoon as the day warmed up. A few motors ground to a halt on the hard shoulder, prompting police to act quickly. The bus passengers from nearby schools had already faced trouble staying overnight when the nearby junction was closed. Traffic police said the heat had left a number of drivers struggling to keep moving.

In Worcestershire, a recent enforcement push had recorded tens of thousands of speed offences. Most of them were clocked on M5 stretches near Worcester and Tewkesbury, prompting warnings from frustrated motorists. Police have urged drivers to carry out basic checks before setting off in warmer weather.