M5 repairs lead to road closures and contraflows

Road closures are starting on Saturday at junction 27 of the M5

Motorists have been advised to plan ahead due to a series of road closures and contraflows on the M5.

National Highways said concrete repairs to the base of the road near the Devon-Somerset border are needed, which involves removing the surface layers of the motorway.

It said the south gyratory at junction 27 for Willand would be closed from 20:30 GMT on Saturday until 06:00 the following day for the start of the roadworks, with a diversion being put in place.

Further closures are planned before Christmas with the full work scheduled to be completed before Easter 2025, National Highways added.

From Sunday to Wednesday, National Highways said the southbound M5 would be closed between junctions 26 (Wellington) and 28 (Cullompton) from 20:30 to 06:00 each night.

On Thursday and Friday, the northbound section of the same stretch of motorway would be closed at the same times before the south gyratory at junction 27 is closed for one night from 20:30 to 06:00 on Saturday, 16 November.

It added from 06:00 on the same day, there would be two lanes running in each direction on the southbound carriageway in a contraflow, with a plan to move traffic to the northbound side early next year.

The northbound exit slip at junction 27 will be closed from 20:30 to 06:00 from 25 to 29 November, with the entry slip at the same junction shut during the same times between 9 and 13 December.

'Essential repair work'

Kevin Gibbs, project manager for National Highways, said the organisation was sorry for any inconvenience the closures and contraflow caused.

He added the work would benefit road users for many years once completed.

Mr Gibbs said: "We understand that road closures are frustrating, but by closing the road and installing a contraflow, we can get this essential repair work done safely and quickly, causing less disruption overall."