MOTORISTS could face lengthy delays on Worcestershire's motorways from tonight as a £3.7m contract gets underway.

Highways Agency contractors will be closing sections of the M5 between junction 4, Bromsgrove, and junction 5, Droitwich, between tonight and Wednesday, July 3.

The closures are for the installation of a detection loop-based system that sets signals automatically when traffic queues form.

The link road from the M42 south to M5 north at M5 junction 4a will be closed from 9pm this Thursday to 5am on Saturday, and again from 9pm on Monday, July 1 to 5am the following morning.

Diversions will be via M42 junction 1 and the A38 to M5 junction 4.

The M5 will be closed northbound between junctions 5 and 4 from 9pm tonight to 5am on Saturday, and again from 9pm on Monday, July 1 to 5am the following morning.

Drivers will be diverted via the A38. The M5 is due to be closed southbound between junction 4 and 4a from 9pm on Tuesday, July 2 to 5am the next day.

Diversions will be via junction 4 and the A38.

Motorists wishing to join the M5 south from the M42 south will still be able to use the M5 junction 4a link road.