Busy stretch of the M5 to close in both directions this weekend

A busy stretch of motorway used by 75,000 drivers every day will be closed in both directions this weekend - but will you be affected?

The M5, which connects the Midlands to the South West as well as linking up with motorways to access London, Wales and Nottingham, is undergoing maintenance works this weekend that are expected to last up to six months.

National Highways is set to carry out 'essential repairs' to the motorway, which is approaching 50 years old.

The repairs, which began last month and will continue for another half a year, will hit the area around J27 near Willand, Devon.

This week has seen this next phase begin with the route closed between J26 at Wellington and J28 at Cullumpton.

This stretch was shut northbound on Wednesday and Thursday night and it will be shut in the opposite direction tonight and tomorrow night, The Sun reported.

A spokesperson for National Highways 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.'

Read More

EXCLUSIVE
Victims of M25 pothole chaos blame National Highways' slowness in putting out warnings for carnage

'Work will be starting near the central reservation, before moving across the carriageway.

'National Highways has planned the work for after the main summer holiday period, and three lanes will be open in each direction for October half term, to minimise disruption.

'Weather dependent, the work will finish before Easter 2025.'

Closures will last from 8.30pm to 6am the next morning.

Surface layers will need to be stripped away before it is resurfaced which means the road will have to be fully closed in both directions at different times with diversions put in place where possible.

Anyone planning on travelling at those times will be diverted onto the B3181 and A38 before rejoining the M5 at the next available junction.