Motorists on one of Shropshire’s busiest roads were caught up in long rush-hour delays today after a crash which left a van driver trapped in his vehicle.The A5 around Shrewsbury had to be closed as emergency services dealt with the smash shortly before 6am.

The collision, which involved a Volvo lorry and a Mercedes Vito panel van, happened in a layby between the Emstrey and Dobbies islands.

The driver of the van had to be cut free by firefighters. The man, who is believed to be in his 40s, was taken to the Royal Shrewsbury Hospital with a shoulder injury.

Drivers reported severe congestion and there was heavy, slow-moving traffic building up on the westbound carriageway of the M54 and A5 as far east as Cosford.

Maria Hawkaluk, a spokeswoman for West Mercia Police, said diversions were put in place while the A5 was closed.

Claire Thomas, a spokeswoman for West Midlands Ambulance Service, said one ambulance and an incident support officer were called to the scene and one casualty was taken to hospital.

Highways officials were also in attendance to deal with various fluids which were left on the road.

Meanwhile, traffic had to be controlled by hand by Shropshire County Council officers and police after a water main burst on the main A488 in Minsterley, near Shrewsbury.

The water main burst near the creamery in the village and the traffic was controlled before Severn Trent arrived to install traffic lights to control the traffic while they worked.

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