M5 warning as junction closes for almost four months amid major upgrade
Mr Hickinbottom added: "My biggest fear is getting customers to Taunton train station and Musgrove Hospital. It's going to take longer."All sliproads at Junction 26, the roundabout and the A38 link road from the motorway to the Chelston roundabout are closed for at least 14 weeks. However, access to the Foxmoor Business Park will be maintained.Chris Penk owns House of Cake in Wellington and is concerned this will have an impact on trade."We won't have the through traffic from people dropping off the motorway into Wellington, people may choose to stay at home rather than risk hitting the traffic," he said.
Dr Mark Hunt, the owner and director of Home Instead care, has carers working in Taunton and Wellington."We have had to put contingency plans in place with people now going to have to travel further which is a cost to carers."Our clients can be quite vulnerable and frail, they can be taking time-critical medication so if we're late it can have an adverse impact on health," he added.
The official diversion will take motorists off at either junction 25 (Taunton) or junction 27 (Tiverton) and along the A38.Council chiefs are urging motorists to leave extra time for their journeys.Councillor Richard Wilkins, lead member for transport, said: "The road is over 50 years old and it's come to the end of its life. This is a huge job, we're basically relaying a complete road."
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