JUNCTION 26 of the M5 motorway and the A38 Chelston link road will re-open at 6 am on Sunday (September 7).

Somerset Council has confirmed the official opening time following early completion of a three-month resurfacing project which started on June 16.

The work, and the road closure, was programmed to last until the end of September.

But Somerset executive Cllr Richard Wilkins praised contractors Heidelberg Materials for working weekends and overnight to finish the job ‘ahead of schedule and on budget’.

Cllr Wilkins said on Saturday: “The traffic management is going to be removed tonight.

“All the cones will be gone and the road will be reopened, the junction will be reopened, and people will be able to get from Wellington to the motorway once again.”

Heidelberg framework manager Tim Doyle said the road’s original concrete material had been crushed and reused in process called rubblization to save 1,130 lorry journeys.

Mr Doyle said the new carriageway had been topped with 15,000 tonnes of environmentally friendly asphalt with no loss of durability.

National Highways route manager Jonathan Hill said: “It is good to see Somerset Council and their teams deliver this significant road improvement scheme ahead of schedule.

“We are grateful to drivers for their patience during the programme of work.”

The Falcon Flyer coach from Plymouth to Bristol Airport will immediately resume its stops at Wellington’s Cades roundabout on Sunday morning.