A £5.9m drainage and safety scheme for the M5 in Somerset is expected to start work later this month.
Focussed on a section of the motorway near junction 26, National Highways is looking to alleviate flooding on the verges and carriageway to minimise the possibility of ‘weather-related’ closures and incidents.
Starting on 20 October and predicted to be finished by February 2026, plans consist of de-silting ditches, camera surveys and proofing work, gully renewals, the replacement of blocked drainage pipes and fittings, resurfacing and new road markings.
Whilst the work takes place, National Highways plans to maintain three narrow lanes in both directions through the junction and will also introduce a reduced 50mph speed limit for ‘the majority of the works’.
The road authority has also stated that there will be a 50mph limit in place northbound from 28 October until 19 February for ‘safety reasons’, along with a ‘similar speed restriction’ southbound from 2 November until 11 February.
There are also a number of overnight closures that National Highways has scheduled so that it can install traffic management and signage for the works, with diversions in place during the full closures.
Jonathan Hill, National Highways’ South West route manager, said: ‘This is an essential scheme which will bring twofold benefits in terms of safety and wet weather resilience, reducing the likelihood of flooding and surface water issues at this location.
‘The work has been programmed to follow Somerset Council’s concrete renewal scheme at the junction and Chelston link road – the two schemes couldn’t be carried out at the same time as this would have significantly impacted people’s journey times during the busy summer months, both on the motorway and local roads around the junction.’
