THE deterioration of a carriageway on the M5 is why it has been closed overnight for several days.

National Highways inspectors had identified some deterioration to the southbound M5 carriageway by junction 8 (Worcester).

The organisation has invested £17 million into building a retaining wall alongside the slip road, and the slope has been replaced with an improved, higher-performance material to stabilise the embankment.

The repairs were made mandatory to ensure the road remains safe for motorists for years to come and significantly reduce the need for routine repairs.

The motorway was closed for several nights last week and this week while work was carried out to make it safe.

Last week, National Highwaad finally lifted its 24/7 traffic management on the main southbound carriage, meaning all three lanes and the hard shoulder are now available during the daytime.

This has been in place since January.

A spokesperson for National Highways said: "As part of routine inspections, we identified some deterioration on the southbound M5 carriageway.

"We’re now carrying out extensive ground repair work to ensure the road remains safe for motorists for years to come.

"Since January we’ve been carrying out an extensive programme of earthworks to restabilise the ground at junction 8 of the M5 in Worcestershire.

"The scheme is now nearing completion, which is great news for those heading through the region towards the South West for their summer holidays.

"We appreciate our customers’ patience while we’ve carried out this vital work to stabilise the embankment, hard shoulder and lane one."

The motorway will also be closed between M5 southbound junction 4a to junction six so trees can be cut.

The road will be closed between 9pm and 6pm from Tuesday (July 23) until Friday (July 26).

Other M5 closures include the northbound carriageway from 8pm to 6am on these dates:

  • July 23 and 24 – the northbound carriageway will be closed with traffic diverted up and over the slip roads.
  • July 25 and 26 - the northbound entry slip road will be closed.
  • July 29, 30 and 31 – the northbound carriageway will be closed with traffic diverted up and over the slip roads.
  • August 1 to 9—The northbound entry slip road will be closed, including the hard shoulder and lane one of the main carriageway.