Motorists using the M5 this weekend will need to know about the planned road closures that could affect their travel plans.
National Highways England has shared all its scheduled maintenance work that will temporarily close parts of the major motorway over the weekend.
Drivers are encouraged to check diversion routes before setting off to minimise disruption.
More information about road closures across England is available on the National Highways website.
Here are the closures you’ll need to be aware of between Friday, November 6 and Monday, November 9, whether you’re driving in Worcestershire or heading further afield to the likes of Gloucestershire, Somerset and Exeter.
How long is the M5?
The M5 gives drivers a route between the Midlands and the South West.
The RAC adds: “Running for just over 160 miles in length, it starts at Junction 8 of the M6, at West Bromwich, and ends in Exeter, in Devon.
“Because of its location, the M5 is the major gateway to some of the UK’s most popular holiday destinations.
“At weekends, public holidays and school holidays, M5 traffic tends to be extremely heavy as motorists from the Midlands – and further north, connecting from the M6 – head for Somerset, Devon and Cornwall.”
Drivers can also use the M5 to access large UK cities, including:
The RAC continues: “The M5 also connects to other major motorways, as well as the M6.
“From Junction 4a, motorists can reach the M42; from Junction 8 the M50; from Junction 15 the M4, and from Junction 18a the M49 motorway.”
M5 road closures for Friday, November 6
On the M5 southbound at Junction 21, there will be a carriageway closure between the exit and entry slip roads as part of the St Georges Structural Upgrade scheme between 10pm and 6am on Saturday.
Drivers can follow the diversion via the M5 Junction 21 exit and then rejoin the M5 via the Junction 21 entry.
On the M5 northbound at Junction 26, drivers can expect an exit slip carriageway closure from 9pm until 6am while horticulture work takes place.
A diversion will be in place via Junction 25 and return.
The M5 will close in both directions between Junction 7 and 9.
The carriageway closure will be in place for maintenance work between 9pm and 6am.
Maintenance work will also occur on the M5 northbound (Junctions 7 to 10) at the same time.
The motorway will close between Junction 4 and Junction 4a in both directions for maintenance work.
This work will take place from 9pm until 6am and includes the following closures:
M5 road closures for Saturday, November 7
There are currently no planned road closures for the M5 on this day.
M5 road closures for Sunday, November 8
There are currently no planned road closures for the M5 on this day.
M5 road closures for Monday, November 9
Barrier renewals will close the carriageway on the M5 southbound Junction 25 to 26 from 9pm until 6am on Tuesday.
Drivers can use the diversion via the A38.
On the M5 southbound (Junction 21), the St Georges Structural Upgrade scheme will result in a carriageway closure between the exit and entry slips.
Drivers can use the M5 Junction 21 exit and rejoin the M5 via the Junction 21 entry during the work, which will take place from 9pm until 6am.
At the same time, Junction 30 of the M5 northbound will close for a carriageway reconstruction and drivers can use the diversion via the exit and entry slip roads.
National Highways England adds that drivers will need to divert via B3212 Moor Lane and A3015 to Junction 29 on November 13.
On the M5 southbound in both directions, there will be a carriageway closure from Junction 7 to Junction 9.
This will allow maintenance work to take place between 9pm and 6am.
Also on the M5 southbound between 9pm and 6am, there will be a carriageway closure in both directions (Junction 4 to Junction 4a) while maintenance work takes place.
This will involve an M5 southbound Junction 3 to Junction 4a carriageway closure and an M5 southbound Junction 4a to M42 northbound link carriageway closure.
Are you using the M5 to travel this weekend? Let us know your plans in the comments.