The M5 near junction 26 for Wellington in Somerset will have major works from October 26, with speed restrictions lasting until February 2026
Motorists on the M5 face a new 50mph speed limit and risk a hefty £1,000 fine if they exceed it.
Multiple sets of works, scheduled to last until February 2026, are planned along the motorway in Devon and Somerset.
Three narrow lanes in each direction around junction 26 for Wellington will be under the reduced speed limit for most of the second set of works, starting Monday, October 26, and running until Thursday, February 19.
The works include de-silting ditches, gully renewal, resurfacing, replacing blocked drainage pipes and fittings, road marking updates, camera survey and proofing.
READ MORE: European airports forced to cancel all flights as thousands of passengers hitREAD MORE: ‘I’m a wine connoisseur and this wine advent calendar is the best I’ve found’
A similar speed restriction will apply on the southbound carriageway from November 2 until February 11.
The £5.9 million programme aims to improve drainage and reduce flooding on the verges and carriageway near junction 26.
The National Highways scheme is focused on resolving flooding issues and boosting safety for motorists on the M5 in Somerset.
Meanwhile, sections between junction 28 and 30 have been closed since mid-September due to weeknight works on the southbound carriage, expected to last until December.
M5 updates listed by NationalHighways:
15 September to 7 November – M5 southbound between junctions 28 and 29
- Full closure
- Diversion – through B3181, Cumberland Way then Honiton Road (A30)
- re-join M5 at junction 29
20 and 21 October 2025 – M5 southbound between junctions 25 and J27
22 to 24 October 2025 – M5 northbound between junctions 27 and 25
25 and 26 October 2025 – M5 north and southbound between junctions 27 and 25
- Two lanes closed overnight (8pm to 6am)
27 to 30 October 2025 – M5 northbound between junctions 27 and 25
- Full closure overnight (9pm to 6am)
28 October 2025 – 19 February 2026
- Northbound speed limit of 50mph 24 hours a day.
1 and 2 November 2025 – M5 southbound between junctions 25 and J27
- Full closure overnight (9pm to 6am)
2 November 2025 – 11 February 2026
- Southbound speed limit of 50mph all day
8 and 9 November 2025 – M5 southbound between junctions 25 and J27
- Full closure overnight (9pm – 6am)
11 to 12 November – M5 junction 29 entry and exit slips
13 to 26 November – M5 junction 29 entry slip and junction 30 exit slip roads
- Slip roads closed
- Single lane running between junction 28-29
- Diversions for access to A30 – continue on M5 southbound to junction 30, then take Sidmouth Road, Moor Lane, Honiton Road to join A30
- Diversions for access to M5 from A30 – stay on A30 westbound, take Honiton Road, Moor Lane and Sidmouth Road, join M5 southbound at junction 30
- Junction 30 exit slip closure diversion – stay on M5 southbound, leave at junction 31, head west on A30, take fourth exit at roundabout to join A30 eastbound, take M5 northbound at junction 30
27 November – M5 junction 30 entry slip
- Slip road closed
- Single lane running between M5 junction 29 to 30
- Diversion for access to M5 southbound and A30 – head southwest on A379/Rydon Lane, take exit at roundabout onto B3123/Bad Homburg Way, then Alphin Brook Road, Trusham Road, Marsh Green Road West and A377 / Alphington Road to join A30
- Diversion for access to A38 – head southwest on A379 / Rydon Lane to join A38 westbound at Kennford
28 November to 8 December – M5 southbound between junction 29 to 30
- Full closure
- Section of road also closed from 7pm Saturday, November 29 to 7am Sunday, November 30
- Diversion – take A30 westbound, then Honiton Road, Moor Lane and Sidmouth Road
- Rejoin M5 southbound at junction 30
1 – 5 December 2025 – M5 northbound between junctions 27 and 25
6 and 7 December 2025 – M5 southbound between junctions 25 and J27
- Full closure overnight (9pm to 6am)
9 to 10 December – M5 southbound between Junction 28-29
- Full closure
- Diversion – take B3181, Cumberland Way and Honiton Road (A30) to rejoin M5 southbound at junction 29
11-12 December – M5 southbound between Junction 29-30
- Full closure
- Diversion – take A30 westbound, then Honiton Road, Moor Lane and Sidmouth Road
- Rejoin M5 southbound at junction 30
13 and 14 December 2025 – M5 between junctions 25 and J27 (southbound)
20 December 2025
2 January 2026
11 and 14 February 2026
19 – 22 February 2026 – M5 between junctions 27 and 25 (northbound)
22 – 24 February 2026 – M5 between junctions 25 and J27 (southbound)
- Full closure overnight (9pm to 6am)
