Major roadworks due to finish earlier than planned

Junction 26 near Wellington in Somerset is due to reopen early

Major resurfacing work at a motorway junction is due to be finished earlier than planned.

The M5 Junction 26 at Wellington is due to reopen overnight on 6 September, after Somerset Council replaced the deteriorating 51-year-old concrete road.

Many locals and businesses were not happy with the closure of the junction and the A38 link road when it was announced.

Somerset Councillor Richard Wilkins said: "We appreciate this has been a hugely challenging project to deliver, and we are very grateful to local communities, businesses and the travelling public for their patience.

Some work will continue during September but will be completed after the closure has been lifted.

Mr Wilkins added: "We pledged to do everything in our power to keep disruption to a minimum and it is fantastic news that the A38 and motorway junction will reopen well ahead of schedule.

"It means the government funding we worked so hard to secure has been put to good use and we can all benefit from a smoother, quieter road surface with improved drainage for years to come."

The £5.7 million refurbishment of the junction along with the A38 Chelston link road - both built in 1974 - was entirely funded by government grants.

For the A38 link road, council contractor Heidelberg Materials used a technique known as rubblization to break up the existing concrete road surface using heavy machinery.

Instead of removing 7,300 tonnes of concrete from site, the materials were retained and recycled to use for the new carriageway.

The project included putting in a new drainage system to reduce the risk of flooding.