South West - Maintenance schemes

Our surveys have revealed large numbers of dead or dying Ash trees. These are a potential safety risk to people on or near our road network.

We need to remove or make safe ash trees identified as needing urgent action.

Closures

We'll need a combination of overnight lane and carriageway closures while we work.

We'll give information about closures and diversions here, when we have firm details.

Please remember that closures can change at short notice. You can check the latest information on our daily closures. Our travel alerts give details of live incidents on our network.

In support of our Net Zero Highways Plan, we are upgrading 70% of the existing bulbs in road lighting lamps to LED by March 2027. 

Closures

We'll need overnight lane closures while we work. Our next work will be:

26 January - 31 March 2026
A30 Penzance to Cheriton Bishop

16 February - 20 March 2026
A38 near Plymouth, Liskeard, Landrake, Latchbrook and South Brent

16 March - 1 April 2026
A36 between Bath and Southampton 

Please remember that closures can change at short notice. You can check the latest information on our daily closures. Our travel alerts give details of live incidents on our network.

We're resurfacing, replacing signs and clearing vegetation.

Closures

1 to 18 July - A35 in both directions between Axminster and Bridport

Closed overnight (8pm – 6am), weeknights only.

19 July to 8 August - A35 in both directions between Bridport and Dorchester

Closed overnight (8pm – 6am), weeknights only.

10 to 15 August - A35 Dorchester Bypass in both directions

Closed overnight (8pm – 6am), weeknights only.

17 August – 5 September - A35 in both directions between Stinsford and Bere Regis

Closed overnight (8pm – 6am), weeknights only.

Map of closure locations.

We'll put signed diversions in place. Please follow signed routes, not Satnav instructions.

Please remember that closures can change at short notice. You can find the latest information on our daily closures page or check for current incidents, disruptions and delays. Our travel alerts give details of high priority incidents on our network.

Closures 

February 2026 

The scheme will begin with ten days of work to clear vegetation from 16 February with weekday northbound lane closures between 7am until 5pm. 

April – November 2026 

The repair works to the wall will take place from 7 April until November 2026 

We need to close sections of the northbound lane of the A36 using temporary traffic lights 24 / 7 to complete the work safely.

At certain points we'll be working on two sections of the route at the same time.

The lane closures will be less than 200m long and our teams will be on site to monitor and manage traffic queues to minimise delays as much as possible. 

While disruptive, temporary traffic lights allow us to complete complex work that can’t be done overnight, as safely and quickly as possible. 

We always aim to work to the programme, however unforeseen circumstances or adverse weather conditions may mean changes.

Please plan ahead and allow plenty of time for your journeys. 

Please remember that closures can change at short notice. You can check the latest information on our daily closures. Our travel alerts give details of live incidents on our network.

Bloor Homes and Montel Civil Engineering are developing land at Stoketon Cross for new housing.

This includes:

• a new access roundabout onto the A38
• two new access junctions.

Bloor Homes and Montel Civil Engineering will need traffic management at various locations while they work.

For more information, visit Montel Civil Engineering.

Closures

We'll work overnight  (8pm - 6am) Mondays to Fridays.

We'll use a combination of:

• overnight  lane closures (8pm to 6am)
• short sections of overnight carriageway closures (8pm-6am)
• temporary traffic lights
• convoy systems - you'll be escorted through works behind one of our vehicles at reduced speed

We'll signpost diversion routes, if needed, and maintain access for emergency services.

During the day the road will be open as usual. However, please plan ahead and allow extra time for your journeys.

Please remember that closures can change at short notice. You can check the latest information on our daily closures. Our travel alerts give details of live incidents on our network.

You'll find more information ion this scheme on our page Safety schemes in the South West region.

We are undertaking drainage work on the M4 eastbound between junctions 18 and 17 from February 2026 until March 2027 

This spring there will be lane closures on the M4 between junctions 18 and 17 to allow us to undertake enabling work. 

There will be a 50mph speed limit between August 2026 and March 2027 with narrow lanes in place on the M4. 

While disruptive, narrow lanes with a 50mph speed limit allow us to complete complex work that can’t be done overnight and help us stay on track to meet our project completion date in 2027. 

Closures 

23 February - 21 March 

The M4 will have one lane open in both directions weeknights from 8pm – 6am between junctions 18 and 17. 

Spring 2026 

Further overnight lane closures on the M4 in both directions for more preparation work. 

August 2026 – March 2027 

The M4 will have three narrow lanes running in each direction 24/7 between junction 18 and 17 with a speed limit of 50mph.

Full overnight closures of the M4 will be required to install and removed the narrow lanes.

Signed diversions will be in place via Chippenham for full M4 closures.

Dates and details of these closures will be shared nearer the time. 

Please remember that closures can change at short notice. You can check the latest information on our daily closures. Our travel alerts give details of live incidents on our network.

Closures

Sunday to Thursday nights (8pm – 6am). The road will be open as usual during the day.

14 June – 14 July (Phase 1) - M5 Junction 24 to Junction 25 southbound (all three lanes), including the Junction 24 entry slip road.

19 – 30 July (Phase 2) - M5 Junction 23 to Junction 24 southbound (all three lanes), including the Junction 24 exit slip road.

2 – 6 August (Phase 3) - M5 Junction 24 to Junction 23 northbound (all three lanes).

Diversion

A signed diversion route will be in place during all closures.

Please remember that closures can change at short notice. You can check the latest information on our daily closures. Our travel alerts give details of live incidents on our network.

Closures

26 May – 6 August

• M5 J11a to J12 overnight lane closures
• Closed overnight (8pm – 6am), weeknights only

21 – 29 July

• M5 J12 northbound entry slip road
• Closed overnight (7pm – 6am)

Diversion – signed diversion route via junction 13 will be in place

12 – 24 June

• Gloucester Services entry and exit slip roads (northbound only)
• Closed overnight (8:30pm – 6am), weeknights only

Please remember that closures can change at short notice. You can check the latest information on our daily closures. Our travel alerts give details of live incidents on our network.

Closures

16 – 30 July - M5 junction 20 southbound entry slip road

Lane one closed on weeknights (8am – 4pm), with full overnight closures (8pm – 6am).

30 July – September - M5 junction 20 area

Enabling work in the verges only – no slip road or M5 closures planned.

September (approx. three weeks) - M5 junction 20 southbound entry slip road

Closed 24/7. Exact dates to be confirmed nearer the time.

Diversion (during full closures) 

• continue to M5 junction 21
• exit and return north to reach junction 20

Please remember that closures can change at short notice. You can check the latest information on our daily closures. Our travel alerts give details of live incidents on our network.

We've resumed work on the drainage scheme and are due to complete the scheme in early August.

We'll need overnight closures to complete the work.

Closures

11 and 12 June

M5 southbound junction 26 exit slip closed (8pm-6am).

20, 21, 27 and 28 June

M5 northbound junction 26 exit slip road closed (8pm-6am).

Please remember that closures can change at short notice. You can check the latest information on our daily closures. Our travel alerts give details of live incidents on our network.

Works

We’re renewing road markings and replacing road studs along stretches of the M5 between junctions 22 and 31 until spring 2026.

We’ll work overnight and on weeknights only.

Closures

To work safely, we'll work in phases under a combination of:

• overnight lane closures (8pm-6am)
• short sections of overnight carriageway closures (9pm-6am)

If needed, well signed diversion routes will be in place. 

Please plan ahead and allow extra time for your journeys.

Dates may change at short notice due to poor weather conditions or operational reasons. 

Please remember that closures can change at short notice. You can check the latest information on our daily closures. Our travel alerts give details of live incidents on our network.

We're replacing and installing new safety barriers on the M5 between junctions 29 and 31 to keep drivers safe.

1 May 2026 - 28 March 2027

Most work will be done overnight, usually Sunday to Thursday, when traffic levels are lowest. Some slip road closures will require full overnight or weekend closures.

Temporary speed restrictions will be used during the works as concrete for the new barriers needs time to harden.

Details of full closures will be updated here nearer the time and signed diversions will be in place.

We understand these works may cause some inconvenience and we appreciate your patience while we carry out these essential safety improvements.

Please remember that closures can change at short notice. You can check the latest information on our daily closures. Our travel alerts give details of live incidents on our network.