M5 has secret path hidden under motorway archway

Tucked away under an M5 archway near Bromsgrove, a secret path lies hidden. Despite its location at one of the busiest and oldest junctions of the motorway in leafy Worcestershire [1], right next to a popular McDonald’s [2], many have driven past without ever stopping. Adding to the intrigue is a country stile that would typically invite walkers onto this route, but it’s accompanied by a warning sign forbidding pedestrian access.

Not that they’re missing much – this tiny M5 path is barely 10m long and leads nowhere. It’s more akin to a secret garden, with trees and undergrowth nestled at the base of the bustling motorway, adjacent to the southbound exit of the M5 at Junction 5 for Droitwich and Wychbold. Located near the popular Webbs of Wychbold garden centre on the A38 Worcester Road, the general public has been denied access to this charming secret spot as it leads directly up to the side of the M5 where vehicles speed south at 70mph.

This path serves as an access point for motorway engineers, National Highway officials and, if necessary, emergency services responding to unexpected incidents and crashes. From the stile, they can scramble the short distance up the incline to reach the highway.

The boundary of this discreet spot even boasts an official blue motorway sign, marking this small plot of bracken, trees and leaves as officially part of the motorway network. Don’t miss the biggest and breaking stories by signing up to the BirminghamLive newsletter here [4].

It’s worth brushing up on your highway code signs, as the red-rimmed ‘Pedestrian Access Prohibited’ sign at the entrance serves as a stern warning against venturing further.

This is a standard regulatory sign, typically used to indicate the presence of a nearby lane with fast-moving traffic.

References

^ Worcestershire (www.birminghammail.co.uk)
^ McDonald’s (www.birminghammail.co.uk)
^ DWP could boost economy by ‘GBP9 billion’ helping one age group back to work (www.birminghammail.co.uk)
^ Don’t miss the biggest and breaking stories by signing up to the BirminghamLive newsletter here (www.birminghammail.co.uk)