All lanes on the northbound side of the M5 have been re-opened after a body was found on the busy route.
Officers from Gloucestershire Constabulary were called at around 4am today (Wednesday) to the incident between junction 11A for Brockworth and 12 for Quedgeley.
A section of the motorway remained closed until around 6:15pm tonight when the north side was fully re-opened.
However, one lane on the southbound carriageway remains closed to traffic.
A force spokeswoman said the body could be that of a person who was reported missing to police this morning.
She said: "One of the leads detectives from the Constabulary’s Criminal Investigation Department are following up is whether the body is that of a missing person reported this morning.
You can follow the latest updates on this incident in our M5 traffic live blog.
"Formal identification will not be possible for several days as tests will also need to be completed.
"Specialist officers at the scene have been carrying out body and evidence recovery in extremely challenging circumstances and this is the main reason there has been such a long delay.
"Police would like to thank road users for remaining patient throughout the day and showing understanding that the central aim has been to give dignity to the person involved and provide reassurance to their family that everything possible has been done to show respect to their loved one.
"The investigation continues and officers are still keen to hear from anyone who has not yet contacted police who travelled between junctions 11 and 12 on either carriageway between 3.45am and 4.15am today.
"Information can be given to police by calling 101 and quoting incident 34 of October 30."
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