Essential repairs will take place on the M5 around junction 27 near Willand from next week, leading to road closures and diversions.

National Highways will commence work on the concrete base layer on Monday (September 16).

A National Highways spokesperson said: "We’ll be carrying out our work in phases, starting after the main summer holiday time.

"As we need to remove the surface layers above the concrete, we’ll need to set up a contraflow to keep everyone on the motorway safe.

"We’ll be starting near the central reservation, moving across the carriageway.

"We’ll make sure three lanes are open in each direction during the October half term, and we’re due to complete our improvements in spring 2025, ahead of the Easter holidays."

The project will continue into next year, with traffic being moved to the north side to allow work on the southbound carriageway.

The spokesperson continued: "We’ll provide more information as our work progresses.

"This work is subject to favourable weather conditions, for example heavy rain may affect the progress."

Schedule for M5 works near junction 27

Monday, September 16 to Tuesday, October 1: Overnight lane closures on the M5 around Junction 27 (Tiverton) between 8.30pm and 6am each night, At least one lane will remain open in each direction.

Wednesday, October 2 & Thursday, October 3: The M5 will be closed southbound between Junction 26 (Wellington) and Junction 28 (Cullompton) between 8.30pm and 6am each night, traffic will be diverted via the A38 & B3181.

Friday, October 4 & Saturday, October 5: The M5 will be closed northbound between Junction 28 (Cullompton) and Junction 26 (Wellington) between 8.30pm and 6am each night, traffic will be diverted via the B3181 & A38.

Saturday, October 5 to Thursday, October 24: From 6.00am on Saturday, October 5, a lane will be closed on the northbound M5 around Junction 27, three lanes will be open southbound, with traffic using the hard shoulder.

Friday, October 25 to Monday, November 4: Three lanes will be open in each direction over half term. traffic will use the hard shoulder in both directions while there is work in the middle of the road.

Tuesday, November 5 to Friday, November 15: The southbound M5 will be closed between Junctions 26 (Wellington) and 28 (Cullompton) from 8.30pm to 6am each night, a diversion will be in place via the A38 and the B3181.

From 6am Saturday, November 16: Two lanes running in each direction with all traffic using the southbound carriageway in a contraflow.