M5 drainage and resurfacing at Junction 26 near Wellington

Motorists using the M5 in Devon and Somerset are being warned to expect months of disruption as National Highways begins a major drainage and resurfacing programme at junction 26, near Wellington, and continues work on other sections of the motorway. The works are scheduled to start on Monday, October 20 and are expected to run through to the end of February 2026, with a separate set of weeknight closures on the southbound carriageway between junctions 28 and 30 already under way and due to last until December.

The £5.9 million scheme at junction 26 will maintain three narrow lanes in each direction through the junction for the majority of the works and impose a 50 mph speed limit to improve safety for road workers and drivers. National Highways said the northbound limit will operate from October 28 until February 19 and a similar restriction on the southbound carriageway will run from November 2 until February 11. Drivers caught exceeding the limit will be liable to enforcement and potential penalties.

National Highways described the project as a package of drainage and pavement works designed to reduce flooding on the verges and carriageway and lower the risk of future wet...