MILLIONS of drivers are set to be impacted by a new speed limit being imposed on a crucial UK motorway this month.
The new 50mph speed limit is putting motorists at risk of a hefty £1,000 fine.
50 mph is ten below the usual speed limit[/caption]
Works are set to take place on the popular motorway[/caption]
Motorists are being warned about the reduced speed limit on the M5 motorway coming into force over the next few months.
Further disruptions are also expected to occur as multiple sets of work take place along the motorway in Devon and Somerset.
They are due to last until February 2026.
Three narrow lanes in each direction will be hit with the new 50 mph speed limit around junction 26 for Wellington.
This is for the majority of the second set of works starting on Monday, October 26.
De-silting of ditches, gully renewal, resurfacing, replacing blocked drainage pipes and fittings, road marking updates, camera survey and proofing are among the works to be carried out.
It involves a £5.9 million programme which aims to improve drainage and alleviate flooding on the verges and carriageway near junction 26.
The National Highways scheme has been tasked with resolving flooding issues and improving safety for motorists on the M5 in Somerset.
In doing so, they will maintain three narrow lanes in each direction with the reduced 50mph speed limit for safety reasons.
The speed limit will be in place northbound from October 28 until February 19.
A similar speed restriction is set to be in place on the southbound carriageway from November 2 until February 11.
Sections between junctions 28 and 30 have also been closed since last month as work is being carried out on the southbound carriageway.
These works are set to last until December, with crews operating on weeknights.
National Highways has provided updates for the M5:
15 September to 7 November – M5 southbound between junctions 28 and 29
- Full closure
- Diversion – through B3181, Cumberland Way then Honiton Road (A30)
- re-join M5 at junction 29
20 and 21 October 2025 – M5 southbound between junctions 25 and J27
22 to 24 October 2025 – M5 northbound between junctions 27 and 25
25 and 26 October 2025 – M5 north and southbound between junctions 27 and 25
- Two lanes closed overnight (8pm to 6am)
27 to 30 October 2025 – M5 northbound between junctions 27 and 25
- Full closure overnight (9pm to 6am)
28 October 2025 – 19 February 2026
- Northbound speed limit of 50mph 24 hours a day.
1 and 2 November 2025 – M5 southbound between junctions 25 and J27
- Full closure overnight (9pm to 6am)
2 November 2025 – 11 February 2026
- Southbound speed limit of 50mph all day
8 and 9 November 2025 – M5 southbound between junctions 25 and J27
- Full closure overnight (9pm – 6am)
11 to 12 November – M5 junction 29 entry and exit slips
13 to 26 November – M5 junction 29 entry slip and junction 30 exit slip roads
- Slip roads closed
- Single lane running between junction 28-29
- Diversions for access to A30 – continue on M5 southbound to junction 30, then take Sidmouth Road, Moor Lane, Honiton Road to join A30
- Diversions for access to M5 from A30 – stay on A30 westbound, take Honiton Road, Moor Lane and Sidmouth Road, join M5 southbound at junction 30
- Junction 30 exit slip closure diversion – stay on M5 southbound, leave at junction 31, head west on A30, take fourth exit at roundabout to join A30 eastbound, take M5 northbound at junction 30
27 November – M5 junction 30 entry slip
- Slip road closed
- Single lane running between M5 junction 29 to 30
- Diversion for access to M5 southbound and A30 – head southwest on A379/Rydon Lane, take exit at roundabout onto B3123/Bad Homburg Way, then Alphin Brook Road, Trusham Road, Marsh Green Road West and A377 / Alphington Road to join A30
- Diversion for access to A38 – head southwest on A379 / Rydon Lane to join A38 westbound at Kennford
28 November to 8 December – M5 southbound between junction 29 to 30
- Full closure
- Section of road also closed from 7pm Saturday, November 29 to 7am Sunday, November 30
- Diversion – take A30 westbound, then Honiton Road, Moor Lane and Sidmouth Road
- rejoin M5 southbound at junction 30
1 – 5 December 2025 – M5 northbound between junctions 27 and 25
6 and 7 December 2025 – M5 southbound between junctions 25 and J27
- Full closure overnight (9pm to 6am)
9 to 10 December – M5 southbound between Junction 28-29
- Full closure
- Diversion – take B3181, Cumberland Way and Honiton Road (A30) to rejoin M5 southbound at junction 29
11-12 December – M5 southbound between Junction 29-30
- Full closure
- Diversion – take A30 westbound, then Honiton Road, Moor Lane and Sidmouth Road
- rejoin M5 southbound at junction 30
13 and 14 December 2025 – M5 between junctions 25 and J27 (southbound)
20 December 2025
2 January 2026
11 and 14 February 2026
19 – 22 February 2026 – M5 between junctions 27 and 25 (northbound)
22 – 24 February 2026 – M5 between junctions 25 and J27 (southbound)
- Full closure overnight (9pm to 6am)
25 – 27 February 2025 – M5 between junctions 27 and 25 (northbound)
- Two lanes closed overnight (8pm – 6am)
- Diversions – signed diversions from M5 southbound junctions 25 to 27, and M5 northbound junctions 27 and 25 by A38 and A358
