Commuters and long-distance travellers on the M5 are bracing for continued disruption as National Highways has confirmed that major smart motorway conversion works will persist for at least another year.
The extensive upgrade project between Junctions 4a at Bromsgrove and Junction 2 at Oldbury, originally slated for completion this year, has now been extended until spring 2025, meaning drivers must endure ongoing delays and lane closures.
What's Causing the Extended Disruption?
The conversion to an all-lane running smart motorway involves significant infrastructure changes that have taken longer than anticipated. Key elements of the project include:
- Installation of new gantries and electronic signage
- Construction of emergency refuge areas
- Implementation of sophisticated detection technology
- Road surface improvements and lane marking updates
National Highways acknowledges the frustration these delays are causing but emphasises that the completed system will ultimately improve traffic flow and safety.
Current Travel Advice for M5 Users
With the works now expected to continue well into next year, drivers are advised to:
- Allow extra journey time, particularly during peak hours
- Consider alternative routes where possible
- Check traffic conditions before travelling using live traffic apps
- Observe all speed restrictions and lane closures in the work zones
Night-time closures and lane restrictions will continue to be implemented throughout the project, with some full carriageway closures expected during off-peak hours to facilitate major construction milestones.
The Bigger Picture: Smart Motorway Safety Concerns
This extension comes amid ongoing national debate about the safety of smart motorways. The conversion aims to increase capacity without the need for physical widening, but has faced criticism from safety campaigners concerned about the removal of hard shoulders.
National Highways maintains that the technology, when complete, will provide enhanced monitoring and quicker response times to incidents, ultimately making the M5 corridor safer and more efficient for the thousands of drivers who use it daily.
