M5 Motorway Variable Speed Limits Now
This page shows what the M5 overhead signs are displaying right now — the electronic message signs National Highways use to warn drivers about closures, queues, hazards and journey times. They are listed junction by junction, in the direction of travel, for both carriageways.
Each message shows when National Highways last set it and how long ago. Signs can warn about a road ahead, so a message may be about a road you join later. We take road-closed messages off this page 12 hours, and other messages 2 hours, after National Highways last set them.
What the M5 overhead signs are showing now
The speed limits showing on the overhead signals on the M5 right now. A number in a red ring is a mandatory limit; a number on its own is advisory.
On the M5 right now there are a total of 1 speed restriction sign:
There are 0 stretches of road with a speed limit on the overhead signals
and there is 1 stretch with a roadworks speed limit in force
Checked 00:02 Thu 17 Sept 2026 These are the variable speed limits National Highways set on the overhead signals, usually for queues, incidents or roadworks.
Red ring = mandatory. A speed in a red ring is the legal limit. A number without the ring is an advisory speed. National Highways change these every few minutes, so we show when each was set.
⚠ Our last check of the speed signals was more than an hour ago, so we have hidden the speed limits until we check again.
1 speed limit on this page
Roadworks Speed Limits in Force Now
Temporary limits National Highways have set for roadworks, in force at our last check.
M5 Northbound — 1 stretch roadworks
M5 northbound between J21 and J20
01:424 Sept 2026set 13 days ago⚠ 13 days old✓ Checked by us 00:02
Roadworks Speed Limit
Source: National Highways’ Speed Managed Areas data, as at 00:02 Thu 17 Sept 2026. Speeds converted from km/h to mph. Powered by National Highways’ Transport Data Feeds.
About the M5 overhead signs
The messages on this page come from National Highways’ own feed of the electronic signs above and beside the M5. We show them exactly as National Highways set them. A sign can be switched to a new message at any moment, so always follow the signs you can see on the road. For accidents, closures and roadworks see our Latest M5 Traffic News page.