M5’s ‘secret’ junction and abandoned road you might not know about

The M5, a major artery connecting the Midlands to the southwest’s coastal gems, is no stranger to Brummies who recognise its iconic landmarks like the ‘Willow Man’ sculpture and the upmarket Gloucester Services. Yet, there are aspects of the M5 that remain a mystery to many drivers. AutoShenanigans, a YouTube channel, revealed a peculiar hidden junction in Devon, seemingly reserved for police use only, as per their investigation.

The presenter from the YouTube channel remarked: “Between junctions 29 and 28, the southbound carriageway has a secret junction linking the motorway to the B3181. On the motorway there are signs saying ‘Police Only’ and it’s a bit strange because usually you would expect another junction on the opposite carriageway but that’s not the case here.” Don’t miss the biggest and breaking stories by signing up to the BirminghamLive newsletter here[2].

They added: “Looking at the condition of the slip road here, it seems like it’s not been used in quite a long time.” Moreover, an intriguing abandoned road lies adjacent to the M5 near Exeter, as discovered by the same YouTube channel. The presenter explained: “At junction 30, you come off the motorway and chuck a right down Sidmouth Road you’ll arrive in the village of Clyst St Mary’s.”

The secret junction on the M5 (Image: Google Maps)

“Venture further and you’ll stumble upon this forgotten stretch of tarmac.

It’s a relic from when the A376 next to it was upgraded to a dual carriageway and a new roundabout was installed near the village entrance.” He elaborated that two ancient bridges, which have stood for centuries, are situated along a 600-foot causeway that once carried the main road across the floodplain. The host added: “This road used to be the main way in and out of the village but following the aforementioned road upgrade, the village has been bypassed leaving these two medieval bridges and stretch of road behind.”

In addition, there’s a hidden pathway beneath the bustling motorway here in the Midlands, nestled between Droitwich and Bromsgrove[3].

This secretive country lane can be found off an inconspicuous lay-by at a bend nearest to the M5 on Colley Pits Lane, skirting the outskirts of Wychbold.

References

1. ^ The most expensive UK petrol station which costs GBP1,200 extra every year (www.birminghammail.co.uk)
2. ^ Don’t miss the biggest and breaking stories by signing up to the BirminghamLive newsletter here (www.birminghammail.co.uk)
3. ^ Bromsgrove (www.birminghammail.co.uk)