M5 motorway sign confusion shows different speed limits

A road sign displayed a 50mph limit on the M5 near junction 5 (Wychbold) while a sign on the overhead gantry just yards ahead said the limit was 60mph.

National Highways said that a reset of the signs meant a different speed limit was shown for a few minutes.

Woober driver Maz Shakil, 31, was on the northbound carriageway, driving towards Redditch on Tuesday (April 23), when he noticed the discrepancy.

Mr Shakil, who works at the Worcester-based firm, said: "This is my usual route in the morning as I go towards Redditch. It was a bit confusing. I was like 'which one do I follow?'

"I don't know if the camera is working or not. But if someone is going at 50mph and someone else is going at 60mph, it could potentially cause a collision. 

"Some drivers slowed down. Some just went at 60mph and disregarded it. Some people were slowing down then speeding up again. I was in between. I was confused. I didn't know which speed to follow."

A National Highways spokesperson said: “Work is now beginning on the installation of new emergency areas along this stretch of motorway and the 50mph signs have been put in place to ensure safety during the scheme.

"The gantry signals were therefore disabled by engineers this morning but the reset process meant that for a few minutes a different speed limit was displayed.

“We appreciate this may have caused some confusion for a very short time.

"Speed limits are reduced for people’s safety so, if any doubt, we would advise drivers to err on the side of caution and follow the lower speed limit.”

The emergency areas will provide a place to stop in an emergency if drivers cannot exit the motorway or stop at a motorway service area.

There will be 10 new emergency areas on the M5 between junctions 4a and 6 (Worcester) with work getting underway this spring.

The work started on Monday, April 22 and is scheduled to be complete by spring 2025.