Four months of motorway roadworks begin

The project is taking place on the M5 near Wellington

Four months of roadworks are starting as part of a £5.9m project to improve drainage and stop the M5 and its verges from flooding.

For the majority of the works, three narrow lanes of the motorway will stay open in each direction near junction 26 for Wellington in Somerset.

Some overnight closures will be needed to install traffic management and signage, Highways England said, at which time signed diversions will be in place.

Jonathan Hill, from National Highways, said: "As with all schemes, we're doing all we can to keep disruption to an absolute minimum and we thank all drivers in advance for their co-operation and patience while we carry out this essential work."

For safety reasons, a 50mph (80kmh) speed limit will be in place northbound from 28 October until 19 February.

A similar speed restriction will be in place on the southbound carriageway from 2 November until 11 February.

The work will involve de-silting ditches, camera survey and proofing work, gully renewal, the replacement of blocked drainage pipes and fittings, resurfacing and road marking, National Highways said.

Mr Hill added: "This is an essential scheme which will bring twofold benefits in terms of safety and wet weather resilience, reducing the likelihood of flooding and surface water issues at this location."

The project is due to be completed by the end of February.