By Chris Guy posted on 16 Jan 2017 in Rural

There’s a stunning section of the M5 motorway in Somerset, near Clapton in Gordano, where the split-level carriageway curves through the hills past the Iron Age hill fort of Cadbury Camp. I’d spotted a footbridge that crossed the motorway at this point and decided to head out there at first light one morning in December 2016.

Having parked up in the village of Clapton in Gordano I dug out my touch and high-vis jacket to make my way along the dark and misty country lane up to the footpath that I pretty sure led to the footbridge. At this point it’s fair to say that I was questioning whether this would all be worthwhile!

After about 20 minutes walk I reached the bridge and it does have stunning view over the motorway and surrounding hills. And it was still quite misty – perfect winter weather to get this series of shots.

Motorway curving through wooded hills at dawn, empty lanes one side and light trails on the other under a misty, pastel sky.

M5 Light Trails

Moss-covered wooden steps and green railings lead to a raised walkway through a leaf-strewn, bare-branched woodland on a gloomy overcast day.

First view of the footbridge

Wet metal footbridge leads into a misty wood of bare winter trees beneath a pale, overcast sky.

Footbridge over the M5

Long-exposure shot of a curved motorway at dusk, light trails from vehicles carving bright streaks beneath dark, wooded hills and a moody blue morning sky.

M5 Light Trails

Long-exposure view of a curving motorway at dawn, light trails streaking along one carriageway, empty opposite lanes, flanked by tree-covered embankments under a cloudy sky.

M5 Light Trails

A damp pedestrian bridge stretches to a line of bare winter trees beneath a grey, cloudy sky, the path leading into a quiet, leafless woodland.

Footbridge over the M5

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