Upcoming M5 roadworks to cause severe delays throughout January
NATIONAL Highways are warning drivers to expect severe disruptions on the M5 throughout January due to planned roadworks.
www.wellington-today.co.ukI can help summarize the latest publicly reported information on M5 junctions 30 and 31 delays.
Summary of recent developments
- A recent oil spill near junction 31 caused significant southbound delays with several lanes closed; by the afternoon, lanes reopened but residual delays persisted (roughly 30–60 minutes in the immediate area as crews finished recovery) [source summaries indicate oil spill incident and queue lengths near Exeter, with restoration completed by late afternoon]. If you’re near Exeter, expect remaining slow traffic on approaches as rebound effects resolve.[1]
- There have been multiple incidents and planned works affecting the M5 in that corridor over the past year, including closures and roadworks that have historically caused periodic delays on the stretch between J30 and J31 and surrounding routes. For example, scheduled roadworks to reroute traffic and lane closures have historically produced disruptions lasting several hours or longer, depending on time of day and incident severity.[4][7][10]
- In April 2026 there was a reported incident near J30–J31 with a collision and emergency response that led to slow-moving traffic and significant delays while responders attended the scene; traffic was impacted for a substantial portion of the day. Other reports show sporadic closures or advisories for diversions when incidents occur in this area.[3][5][10]
What this means for travel planning
- If you’re traveling southbound toward Exeter or beyond J31, prepare for potential delays, especially during peak travel times or when incidents occur. Check live travel updates before departure and consider alternate routes if possible to avoid the M5 corridor around J30–J31 during known high-risk periods (even when the road reopens, congestion can linger).[7][1]
- On days with planned roadworks, expect scheduled lane closures in evenings or overnight windows, which can still affect daytime travel due to queuing and diversions around the site.[7]
Would you like me to monitor for immediate updates on a particular route (e.g., M5 J30–J31 southbound between 15:00–19:00 today) and provide a live brief if new incidents or closures are reported? If you share your typical travel times and preferred routes, I can tailor the updates to be most useful. I can also pull the latest official advisories if you’d like.