NATIONAL Highways is advising drivers to plan in advance and allow a little extra time for their journeys ahead of emergency repairs being carried out at the M5 motorway’s junction 27 for Tiverton and Wellington TONIGHT (Thursday, October 19).

Engineers have identified a defective bridge joint on the northern side of the junction roundabout which needs temporary repair work to prevent further deterioration under an overnight closure from 9 pm to 6 am.

The closure will affect people’s journeys, with no access available to the A38 from the northbound junction 27 exit slip road.

Traffic instead will be required to exit at junction 26, head southbound and access the A38 from the M5 southbound exit slip road.

For A361 traffic wishing to join the A38 or travel southbound on the M5, the diversion will also be via junction 26.

Drivers can obtain up-to-the-minute travel information on local radio, the @HighwaysSWEST Twitter feed, by calling the National Highways Information Line on 0300 123 5000 or by accessing its website here.