MAJOR congestion on the M5 near Worcester is building after a "carriageway defect" closes a lane on the motorway.

There is currently congestion between junction seven (Worcester south) and junction eight (South Wales/Ross/M50) on the southbound carriageway.

Redditch Advertiser: Lane closure between junctions seven and eight on the m5 southbound,Lane closure between junctions seven and eight on the m5 southbound, (Image: motorwaycameras.co.uk)

Fiona McKenzie, National Highways route manager, said: “Safety is our top imperative and we currently have a lane one and hard shoulder closure in place on the M5 southbound at junction 8 because of defect in the carriageway.

“We are still 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.”