Latest M5 traffic news, updates & roadworks

Aerial view of the M5 motorway crossing a river

M5 Overhead Message Signs

2Accidentsreported on the M5 — see details4Roadworks activelive on the M5 right now — see details11Plannedscheduled on the M5 — see details

Live M5 traffic data from National Highways · updated 00:02 Thu 17 Sept 2026

M5

M5 Overhead Message Signs

This page shows what the M5 overhead message 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 message signs are showing now

40 overhead message signs on the M5 are showing right now.

Checked 00:02 Thu 17 Sept 2026 Each message shows when National Highways last set it, and how long ago.

Two kinds of traffic information. This page shows what the overhead message signs on the M5 are displaying. Our latest traffic news shows National Highways’ incident and roadworks reports. Each can carry something the other does not, so we show both and label which is which - check both before you travel.

⚠ 4 of these messages were set more than 2 hours ago and are marked in amber. Signs can stay on after the event has passed. We take road-closed messages off our pages 12 hours, and other sign messages 2 hours, after National Highways last set them, even if the sign is still showing.

34 messages on this page

Road Closures on the Signs

  • A38 CLOSED AFTER M5

    On the signs now Road closed
    Time now: Thursday, 17 September 2026, 00:02

    20:2716 Sept 2026set 4 hrs ago⚠ 4 hrs old✓ Checked by us 00:02

    A38 CLOSED
    AFTER M5

    Overhead Message

    WhereM5 southbound, at J30 · on 1 sign
    Also onM5 signs only
    SinceSet 20:27 Wed 16 Sept 2026
    We check these overhead signs at least every five minutes, but we can't guarantee a sign is still current if an incident or issue has been cleared and the sign has not been updated yet. Signs and news can each carry something the other does not - check both before you travel.

  • A30 CLOSED AFTER M5

    On the signs now Road closed
    Time now: Thursday, 17 September 2026, 00:02

    20:0916 Sept 2026set 4 hrs ago⚠ 4 hrs old✓ Checked by us 00:02

    A30 CLOSED
    AFTER M5

    Overhead Message

    WhereM5 southbound and northbound, J25 to J31 · on 4 signs
    Also onM5 signs only
    SinceSet 20:09 Wed 16 Sept 2026
    We check these overhead signs at least every five minutes, but we can't guarantee a sign is still current if an incident or issue has been cleared and the sign has not been updated yet. Signs and news can each carry something the other does not - check both before you travel.

    • M5 Northbound Message Signs (J31 → J4)

    In junction order, in the direction of travel.

  • A30 CLOSED AFTER M5

    Road closedNorthboundBetween J31 & J30

    20:0916 Sept 2026set 4 hrs ago⚠ 4 hrs old✓ Checked by us 00:02

    A30 CLOSED
    AFTER M5

    Overhead Message

    WhereM5 northbound, at J31 · on 1 sign
    We check these overhead signs at least every five minutes, but we can't guarantee a sign is still current if an incident or issue has been cleared and the sign has not been updated yet. Signs and news can each carry something the other does not - check both before you travel.

  • DON'T DRIVE TIRED

    MessageNorthboundJ23 exit slip

    22:4816 Sept 2026set 1 hr ago✓ Checked by us 00:02

    DON'T DRIVE
    TIRED

    Overhead Message

    WhereM5 northbound, at J23 · on 1 sign
    We check these overhead signs at least every five minutes, but we can't guarantee a sign is still current if an incident or issue has been cleared and the sign has not been updated yet. Signs and news can each carry something the other does not - check both before you travel.

  • TO J11A GLOUCESTER 29 MILES 30 MINS

    Journey timeNorthboundBetween J17 & J16

    23:4416 Sept 2026set 17 min ago✓ Checked by us 00:02

    TO J11A GLOUCESTER
    29 MILES
    30 MINS

    Overhead Message

    WhereM5 northbound, at J17 · on 1 sign
    We check these overhead signs at least every five minutes, but we can't guarantee a sign is still current if an incident or issue has been cleared and the sign has not been updated yet. Signs and news can each carry something the other does not - check both before you travel.

  • TO J11 CHELT 12 MINS

    Journey timeNorthboundBetween J13 & J12

    23:4116 Sept 2026set 20 min ago✓ Checked by us 00:02

    TO J11 CHELT
    12 MINS

    Overhead Message

    WhereM5 northbound, at J13 · on 1 sign
    We check these overhead signs at least every five minutes, but we can't guarantee a sign is still current if an incident or issue has been cleared and the sign has not been updated yet. Signs and news can each carry something the other does not - check both before you travel.

  • J9 11 MINS J8 15 MINS

    Journey timeNorthboundBetween J11A & J11

    23:5216 Sept 2026set 9 min ago✓ Checked by us 00:02

    J9 11 MINS
    J8 15 MINS

    Overhead Message

    WhereM5 northbound, at J11A · on 1 sign
    We check these overhead signs at least every five minutes, but we can't guarantee a sign is still current if an incident or issue has been cleared and the sign has not been updated yet. Signs and news can each carry something the other does not - check both before you travel.

  • TO J9 TEWKS' 8 MINS

    Journey timeNorthboundBetween J11 & J10

    23:4516 Sept 2026set 16 min ago✓ Checked by us 00:02

    TO J9 TEWKS'
    8 MINS

    Overhead Message

    WhereM5 northbound, at J11 · on 1 sign
    We check these overhead signs at least every five minutes, but we can't guarantee a sign is still current if an incident or issue has been cleared and the sign has not been updated yet. Signs and news can each carry something the other does not - check both before you travel.

  • TO J7 WORCESTER 14 MILES 16 MINS

    Journey timeNorthboundBetween J10 & J9

    23:1816 Sept 2026set 43 min ago✓ Checked by us 00:02

    TO J7 WORCESTER
    14 MILES
    16 MINS

    Overhead Message

    WhereM5 northbound, at J10 · on 1 sign
    We check these overhead signs at least every five minutes, but we can't guarantee a sign is still current if an incident or issue has been cleared and the sign has not been updated yet. Signs and news can each carry something the other does not - check both before you travel.

  • TO J7 WORCESTER 14 MILES 15 MINS

    Journey timeNorthboundBetween J10 & J9

    23:4116 Sept 2026set 20 min ago✓ Checked by us 00:02

    TO J7 WORCESTER
    14 MILES
    15 MINS

    Overhead Message

    WhereM5 northbound, at J10 · on 1 sign
    We check these overhead signs at least every five minutes, but we can't guarantee a sign is still current if an incident or issue has been cleared and the sign has not been updated yet. Signs and news can each carry something the other does not - check both before you travel.

  • J4A 25 MINS J1 42 MINS

    Journey timeNorthboundBetween J8 & J7

    23:4616 Sept 2026set 15 min ago✓ Checked by us 00:02

    J4A 25 MINS
    J1 42 MINS

    Overhead Message

    WhereM5 northbound, at J8 · on 1 sign
    We check these overhead signs at least every five minutes, but we can't guarantee a sign is still current if an incident or issue has been cleared and the sign has not been updated yet. Signs and news can each carry something the other does not - check both before you travel.

  • J4A 24 MINS J1 39 MINS

    Journey timeNorthboundBetween J8 & J7

    23:5016 Sept 2026set 11 min ago✓ Checked by us 00:02

    J4A 24 MINS
    J1 39 MINS

    Overhead Message

    WhereM5 northbound, at J8 · on 1 sign
    We check these overhead signs at least every five minutes, but we can't guarantee a sign is still current if an incident or issue has been cleared and the sign has not been updated yet. Signs and news can each carry something the other does not - check both before you travel.

  • J4A 8 mins J2 19 mins

    Journey timeNorthboundBetween J6 & J52 signs here

    23:5416 Sept 2026set 7 min ago✓ Checked by us 00:02

    J4A 8 MINS
    J2 19 MINS

    Overhead Message

    WhereM5 northbound, at J6 · on 2 signs
    We check these overhead signs at least every five minutes, but we can't guarantee a sign is still current if an incident or issue has been cleared and the sign has not been updated yet. Signs and news can each carry something the other does not - check both before you travel.

  • TO J2 DUDLEY 9 MINS

    Journey timeNorthboundBetween J4 & J32 signs here

    23:3316 Sept 2026set 28 min ago✓ Checked by us 00:02

    TO J2 DUDLEY
    9 MINS

    Overhead Message

    WhereM5 northbound, at J4 · on 2 signs
    We check these overhead signs at least every five minutes, but we can't guarantee a sign is still current if an incident or issue has been cleared and the sign has not been updated yet. Signs and news can each carry something the other does not - check both before you travel.

    • M5 Southbound Message Signs (J1 → J30)

    In junction order, in the direction of travel.

  • J2 5 MINS J4A 16 MINS

    Journey timeSouthbound

    23:5416 Sept 2026set 7 min ago✓ Checked by us 00:02

    J2 5 MINS
    J4A 16 MINS

    Overhead Message

    WhereM5 southbound, at J1 · on 1 sign
    We check these overhead signs at least every five minutes, but we can't guarantee a sign is still current if an incident or issue has been cleared and the sign has not been updated yet. Signs and news can each carry something the other does not - check both before you travel.

  • J4 6 MINS J4A 8 MINS

    Journey timeSouthboundBetween J2 & J32 signs here

    23:2116 Sept 2026set 40 min ago✓ Checked by us 00:02

    J4 6 MINS
    J4A 8 MINS

    Overhead Message

    WhereM5 southbound, at J2 · on 2 signs
    We check these overhead signs at least every five minutes, but we can't guarantee a sign is still current if an incident or issue has been cleared and the sign has not been updated yet. Signs and news can each carry something the other does not - check both before you travel.

  • J4 4 MINS J4A 6 MINS

    Journey timeSouthboundBetween J3 & J4

    23:2416 Sept 2026set 37 min ago✓ Checked by us 00:02

    J4 4 MINS
    J4A 6 MINS

    Overhead Message

    WhereM5 southbound, at J3 · on 1 sign
    We check these overhead signs at least every five minutes, but we can't guarantee a sign is still current if an incident or issue has been cleared and the sign has not been updated yet. Signs and news can each carry something the other does not - check both before you travel.

  • J4 5 MINS J4A 7 MINS

    Journey timeSouthboundBetween J3 & J43 signs here

    23:1816 Sept 2026set 43 min ago✓ Checked by us 00:02

    J4 5 MINS
    J4A 7 MINS

    Overhead Message

    WhereM5 southbound, at J3 · on 3 signs
    We check these overhead signs at least every five minutes, but we can't guarantee a sign is still current if an incident or issue has been cleared and the sign has not been updated yet. Signs and news can each carry something the other does not - check both before you travel.

  • J8 25 MINS J15 68 MINS

    Journey timeSouthboundBetween J4 & J4A

    23:4616 Sept 2026set 15 min ago✓ Checked by us 00:02

    J8 25 MINS
    J15 68 MINS

    Overhead Message

    WhereM5 southbound, at J4 · on 1 sign
    We check these overhead signs at least every five minutes, but we can't guarantee a sign is still current if an incident or issue has been cleared and the sign has not been updated yet. Signs and news can each carry something the other does not - check both before you travel.

  • J8 24 MINS J15 67 MINS

    Journey timeSouthboundBetween J4 & J4A

    23:5016 Sept 2026set 11 min ago✓ Checked by us 00:02

    J8 24 MINS
    J15 67 MINS

    Overhead Message

    WhereM5 southbound, at J4 · on 1 sign
    We check these overhead signs at least every five minutes, but we can't guarantee a sign is still current if an incident or issue has been cleared and the sign has not been updated yet. Signs and news can each carry something the other does not - check both before you travel.

  • Roadworks

    InformationSouthboundBetween J4A & J5

    22:3716 Sept 2026set 1 hr ago✓ Checked by us 00:02

    ROADWORKS

    Overhead Message

    WhereM5 southbound, at J4A · on 1 sign
    We check these overhead signs at least every five minutes, but we can't guarantee a sign is still current if an incident or issue has been cleared and the sign has not been updated yet. Signs and news can each carry something the other does not - check both before you travel.

  • To J6 Worcester 6 miles 7 mins

    Journey timeSouthboundBetween J4A & J52 signs here

    23:4716 Sept 2026set 14 min ago✓ Checked by us 00:02

    TO J6
    WORCESTER
    6 MILES
    7 MINS

    Overhead Message

    WhereM5 southbound, at J4A · on 2 signs
    We check these overhead signs at least every five minutes, but we can't guarantee a sign is still current if an incident or issue has been cleared and the sign has not been updated yet. Signs and news can each carry something the other does not - check both before you travel.

  • Roadworks ahead

    InformationSouthboundBetween J4A & J5

    22:3716 Sept 2026set 1 hr ago✓ Checked by us 00:02

    ROADWORKS
    AHEAD

    Overhead Message

    WhereM5 southbound, at J4A · on 1 sign
    We check these overhead signs at least every five minutes, but we can't guarantee a sign is still current if an incident or issue has been cleared and the sign has not been updated yet. Signs and news can each carry something the other does not - check both before you travel.

  • J8 13 mins J15 56 mins

    Journey timeSouthboundBetween J5 & J6

    23:4916 Sept 2026set 12 min ago✓ Checked by us 00:02

    J8 13 MINS
    J15 56 MINS

    Overhead Message

    WhereM5 southbound, at J5 · on 1 sign
    We check these overhead signs at least every five minutes, but we can't guarantee a sign is still current if an incident or issue has been cleared and the sign has not been updated yet. Signs and news can each carry something the other does not - check both before you travel.

  • J8 12 mins J15 55 mins

    Journey timeSouthboundBetween J5 & J6

    23:4116 Sept 2026set 20 min ago✓ Checked by us 00:02

    J8 12 MINS
    J15 55 MINS

    Overhead Message

    WhereM5 southbound, at J5 · on 1 sign
    We check these overhead signs at least every five minutes, but we can't guarantee a sign is still current if an incident or issue has been cleared and the sign has not been updated yet. Signs and news can each carry something the other does not - check both before you travel.

  • J8 10 MINS J15 52 MINS

    Journey timeSouthboundBetween J6 & J7

    23:5016 Sept 2026set 11 min ago✓ Checked by us 00:02

    J8 10 MINS
    J15 52 MINS

    Overhead Message

    WhereM5 southbound, at J6 · on 1 sign
    We check these overhead signs at least every five minutes, but we can't guarantee a sign is still current if an incident or issue has been cleared and the sign has not been updated yet. Signs and news can each carry something the other does not - check both before you travel.

  • J8 8 MINS J15 51 MINS

    Journey timeSouthboundBetween J7 & J8

    23:5616 Sept 2026set 5 min ago✓ Checked by us 00:02

    J8 8 MINS
    J15 51 MINS

    Overhead Message

    WhereM5 southbound, at J7 · on 1 sign
    We check these overhead signs at least every five minutes, but we can't guarantee a sign is still current if an incident or issue has been cleared and the sign has not been updated yet. Signs and news can each carry something the other does not - check both before you travel.

  • TO J11 GLOUCESTER 13 MILES 13 MINS

    Journey timeSouthboundBetween J7 & J8

    23:5016 Sept 2026set 11 min ago✓ Checked by us 00:02

    TO J11 GLOUCESTER
    13 MILES
    13 MINS

    Overhead Message

    WhereM5 southbound, at J7 · on 1 sign
    We check these overhead signs at least every five minutes, but we can't guarantee a sign is still current if an incident or issue has been cleared and the sign has not been updated yet. Signs and news can each carry something the other does not - check both before you travel.

  • Caution

    InformationSouthboundBetween J11A & J12

    23:5116 Sept 2026set 10 min ago✓ Checked by us 00:02

    CAUTION

    Overhead Message

    WhereM5 southbound, at J11A · on 1 sign
    We check these overhead signs at least every five minutes, but we can't guarantee a sign is still current if an incident or issue has been cleared and the sign has not been updated yet. Signs and news can each carry something the other does not - check both before you travel.

  • TO J30 EXETER 31 MILES 34 MINS

    Journey timeSouthboundBetween J24 & J252 signs here

    22:2916 Sept 2026set 2 hrs ago✓ Checked by us 00:02

    TO J30 EXETER
    31 MILES
    34 MINS

    Overhead Message

    WhereM5 southbound, at J24 · on 2 signs
    We check these overhead signs at least every five minutes, but we can't guarantee a sign is still current if an incident or issue has been cleared and the sign has not been updated yet. Signs and news can each carry something the other does not - check both before you travel.

  • TO J30 EXETER 32 MILES 35 MINS

    Journey timeSouthboundBetween J24 & J25

    23:4716 Sept 2026set 14 min ago✓ Checked by us 00:02

    TO J30 EXETER
    32 MILES
    35 MINS

    Overhead Message

    WhereM5 southbound, at J24 · on 1 sign
    We check these overhead signs at least every five minutes, but we can't guarantee a sign is still current if an incident or issue has been cleared and the sign has not been updated yet. Signs and news can each carry something the other does not - check both before you travel.

  • A30 CLOSED AFTER M5

    Road closedSouthboundAt J25

    20:0916 Sept 2026set 4 hrs ago⚠ 4 hrs old✓ Checked by us 00:02

    A30 CLOSED
    AFTER M5

    Overhead Message

    WhereM5 southbound, at J25 · on 1 sign
    We check these overhead signs at least every five minutes, but we can't guarantee a sign is still current if an incident or issue has been cleared and the sign has not been updated yet. Signs and news can each carry something the other does not - check both before you travel.

  • A30 CLOSED AFTER M5

    Road closedSouthboundBetween J26 & J272 signs here

    20:0916 Sept 2026set 4 hrs ago⚠ 4 hrs old✓ Checked by us 00:02

    A30 CLOSED
    AFTER M5

    Overhead Message

    WhereM5 southbound, at J26 · on 2 signs
    We check these overhead signs at least every five minutes, but we can't guarantee a sign is still current if an incident or issue has been cleared and the sign has not been updated yet. Signs and news can each carry something the other does not - check both before you travel.

  • A38 CLOSED AFTER M5

    Road closedSouthboundBetween J30 & J31

    20:2716 Sept 2026set 4 hrs ago⚠ 4 hrs old✓ Checked by us 00:02

    A38 CLOSED
    AFTER M5

    Overhead Message

    WhereM5 southbound, at J30 · on 1 sign
    We check these overhead signs at least every five minutes, but we can't guarantee a sign is still current if an incident or issue has been cleared and the sign has not been updated yet. Signs and news can each carry something the other does not - check both before you travel.

    • Source: National Highways’ overhead message signs, as at 00:02 Thu 17 Sept 2026. This page shows the messages on the M5. Powered by National Highways’ Transport Data Feeds.

    About the M5 overhead message 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.

    M5traffic.co.uk is dedicated to the latest M5 traffic news, checked every five minutes, 24 hours a day. The M5 meets the M4 at the Almondsbury Interchange near Bristol — see M4 Traffic for the M4, and Traffic News England for traffic news across all of England.