The M5 will undergo overnight closures in both directions this week as part of National Highways' resurfacing scheme. The closure will be in effect southbound on Wednesday and Thursday nights, followed by a northbound closure on Friday and Saturday.
National Highways has scheduled essential repairs for the concrete base layer of the M5 around junction 27 near Willand, which involves removing surface layers above the concrete. The project, spanning around six months, commenced last month and is expected to conclude before Easter 2025.
On Wednesday, October 2 and Thursday, October 3, the M5 will be closed southbound between junction 26 (Wellington) and junction 28 (Cullumpton) from 8.30pm to 6am each night. Traffic diversions will be in place via the A38 and B3181.
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For Friday, October 4, and Saturday, October 5, the M5 will be closed northbound between junction 28 (Cullumpton) and junction 26 (Wellington) during the same overnight hours, with diversions via the B3181 and A38.
National Highways has emphasized the importance of these closures for carrying out the repair work safely and swiftly with minimal disruption. They have strategically planned the closure timing to minimize impact and ensure three lanes are open in each direction during October half term.
The project timeline includes a lane closure on the northbound M5 around junction 27 from Saturday, October 5 to Thursday, October 24. This will be followed by three lanes open in each direction over half term from Friday, October 25 to Monday, November 4, with traffic using the hard shoulder.
Further closures are scheduled for the southbound M5 between junctions 26 and 28 from Tuesday, November 5 to Friday, November 15. Commencing from 6am on Saturday, November 16, two lanes will operate in each direction, utilizing the southbound carriageway in a contraflow.
A spokesperson added that traffic will be shifted to the northside early next year to facilitate work on the southbound carriageway and advised that closures are subject to change due to weather conditions. Live updates and travel information can be found on National Highways' Traffic England site and daily closures page.