Highways Agency

The Project

The Works

The M5 Junction 14 safety improvement scheme was introduced to improve safety for all road users by reducing the number of personal injury accidents, decreasing congestion and providing increased opportunity for right turning traffic onto the M5 motorway.

The scheme involved the full signalisation of the staggered Junction 14 with the provision of traffic islands for the housing of the signal heads at the end of the M5 off-slip roads, and on the B4509. Left-turn lanes were provided for traffic turning from the B4509 on to the M5 entry slips.

Some widening work was required on the B4509 westbound left turn lane, and on sections of the slip roads at the junction with the B4509; the M5 southbound entry slip road, M5 southbound exit slip and M5 northbound exit slip. High friction surfacing was laid on all approaches to the traffic signals to improve skid resistance. Associated works included resurfacing and improved road markings, road signs, safety fencing and drainage.

Update

Following the initial commisioning of the M5 Junction 14 lights, the junction has been monitored to identify additional improvement measures to maintain junction capacity and further reduce accident potential.  These include:

• The introduction of new traffic control software to improve capcity and maximise traffic flow through the junction.
• The installation of fixed traffic posts along the B4509 overbridge in order to stop vehicles mounting the kerb.
• The construction of new traffic islands at the entry of the M5 motorway on-slip roads to safely divide traffic streams.
• The refreshment and improvement to road markings and signing in the locality.

These improvements were completed in June 2007.