Narrow lanes and a 50mph speed limit will be introduced around junction 26 of the M5, for Wellington. Picture: National Highways

50mph speed limit and narrow lanes on M5 in Somerset during flood work

Paul JonesOctober 9, 20250 Comment0

WORK on a £5.9 million project to reduce flooding on the M5 in Somerset is set to begin this month – with ‘narrow lanes’ and a 50mph speed limit being installed on the motorway.

On October 20, National Highways will start work to improve drainage and alleviate flooding on the verges and carriageway near junction 26, for Wellington, with some overnight closures also planned.

The organisation said the work was aimed at “reducing the likelihood of future wet weather-related incidents and closures”.

Ditches will be de-silted, gullies renewed, the motorway resurfaced and markings repainted, with pipes and fittings unblocked and camera and proofing work also carried out – but it will take until February next year.

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.

“As with all schemes, we’ve worked closely with partners to find a suitable timeframe to deliver the project, we’re doing all we can to keep disruption to an absolute minimum and we thank all drivers in advance for their co-operation and patience while we carry out this essential work.

“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.”

A 50mph speed limit will be in place northbound from October 28 until February 19, National Highways said, with a similar speed restriction in place on the southbound carriageway from November 2 until February 11 for safety reasons.

And overnight closures will be required to install the traffic management and signage, with diversions in place southbound from junction 25 to junction J27, via the A358 and A38 and the northbound in reverse.

The project comes just weeks after a major £5.7m overhaul of junction 26 and the Chelston link road was completed a month ahead of schedule.