Good news for holiday makers as M5 groundworks near completion

National Highways has carried out the work in the area between the main M5 southbound carriageway and junction 8 southbound exit slip road as well as the central roundabout at the junction.

The £17 million project, which started in January following a series of preparatory surveys, has seen the construction of a new retaining wall alongside the slip road and the slope has been replaced with an improved, higher performance material to stabilise the embankment.

Restrictions have now been lifted on the main carriageway through the junction meaning all three lanes and the hard shoulder are available again and the temporary 50mph speed limit has been removed.

Traffic management will however remain on the southbound exit slip road until early next week for final finishing works, and there is one furter planned closure of the main carriageway overnight on Monday, 29 July from 8pm to 6am with traffic diverted up and over the slip roads.

National Highways Project Manager Patricia Dray said:

“The M5 is a busy route through the Midlands to the South West and as we approach the summer getaway removing the restrictions on the M5 is great news for road users heading off on holiday.

“We appreciate their patience while we’ve carried out this vital work to stabilise the embankment, hard shoulder and lane one. The repairs will ensure the road remains safe to motorists for years to come as well as greatly reducing the need for routine repairs.”

In addition to the remaining closure on the southbound carriageway there are ongoing overnight closures between 8pm and 6am for CCTV works on the northbound carriageway as follows:

• Tuesday 23 and Wednesday 24 July – the northbound carriageway will be closed with traffic diverted up and over the slip roads;
• Thursday 25 and Friday 26 July - the northbound entry slip road will be closed;
• Monday 29, Tuesday 30 and Wednesday 31 July – the northbound carriageway will be closed with traffic diverted up and over the slip roads;
• Thursday 1 to Friday 9 August - The northbound entry slip road will be closed; and
• Tuesday 6 to Friday 9 August – the hard shoulder and lane one of the main carriageway will be closed.

Diversions will be clearly signed. For up-to-date closure information visit the National Highways daily closure report or follow @HighwaysWMIDS on X.

Notes to Editors

National Highways is the wholly government-owned company responsible for modernising, maintaining and operating England’s motorways and major A roads.

Real-time traffic information for England’s motorways and major A roads is available via the Traffic England website, local and national radio travel bulletins, electronic road signs and mobile apps. Local Twitter services are also available.

For further information please contact National Highways' press office (24hrs) on 0844 693 1448 and select the most appropriate option:

Option 1: National enquiries (9am to 5.30pm) and out of hours for urgent enquiries
Option 2: North West (9am to 5.30pm)
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Option 5: East Midlands (9am to 5.30pm)
Option 6: East (9am to 5.30pm)
Option 7: South East (9am to 5.30pm)
Option 8: South West (9am to 5.30pm)