MORE closures are expected to impact the M5 junction 26 to Wellington over the next four months as National Highways begin additional safety work.

National Highways will begin conducting work designed to improve drainage and alleviate flooding at junction 26 from Monday, October 20, which is anticipated to finish by the end of February 2026.

Jonathan Hill, National Highways’ South West route manager, said: “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.

To carry out the work, National Highways will maintain three narrow lanes in each direction through the junction with a speed limit of 50mph.

In addition to this, some overnight closures will be required to install the necessary traffic management measures and signage.

During the full road closures, signed diversions will be in place southbound from junction 25 to junction J27, via the A358 and A38.

The 50mph speed limit on the M5 will be in place heading northbound between Tuesday, October 28, and Thursday, February 19, with a similar speed limit in place heading southbound from Sunday, November 2, to Wednesday, February 11.

The £5.9-million programme will involve the de-silting of ditches, camera survey and proofing work, gully renewal, the replacement of blocked drainage pipes and fittings, as well as resurfacing and road marking works.

Mr Hill added: “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.”