Weekend closure of M42 junction 6 near Birmingham Airport and NEC
Road users are advised of significant road closures on the M42 junction 6 throughout this weekend (Friday October 24 to Monday October 27).
Diversion signs will be in place from late afternoon on Friday before the start of the planned closures at 9.00pm that evening which are due to finish before next Monday morning’s peak at 6.00am.
Three sections of the motorway island will close to enable a safe working area, as part of the improvement involves deep excavation on the west side of the motorway island.
The closures are:
The western part of the motorway island between the A45 westbound entry slip road and A45 eastbound exit slip road (on the NEC side of the roundabout);
The eastern part of the motorway island between the A45 entry and exit slip roads (on the Motorcycle Museum side of the roundabout);
The M42 northbound exit slip road except for the dedicated left turn lane onto the A45 westbound.
One section, from the M42 junction 6 southbound entry slip road to the A45 westbound entry slip road, will be reduced to a single lane to allow traffic emerging from the National Motorcycle Museum to travel towards the A45 into Birmingham.
An emergency access across the southern side of the motorway island will be maintained throughout the weekend’s work.
Drivers should allow extra time for their journeys. The speed limit is reduced to 40mph for the safety of road users and the workforce. The work takes place throughout the weekend, starting from 9.00pm on Friday October 24 and continuing until 6.00am on Monday October 27.
The £3 million ‘pinch point’ scheme at M42 junction 6 will increase the capacity of the roundabout to improve journey reliability and reduce journey times.
It is one of the busiest junctions of the West Midlands motorway network, carrying up to 3,500 vehicles per hour and giving access to Birmingham Airport, the NEC and the National Motorcycle Museum.
The work is part of a £317 million ‘Pinch Point’ improvement programme designed to boost local economies, reduce congestion and improve safety on the strategic road network. The programme is part of the UK Government’s growth initiative, outlined during the chancellor’s Autumn Statement in November 2011. The programme provides smaller scale improvements that can deliver big returns by easing congestion and making journey times more reliable for road users, including hauliers and commuters, to help boost local economies and drive economic growth.
More information can be found on the following website including four maps provided at the bottom of the page under the ‘latest’ tab.
General enquiries
Members of the public should contact the Highways Agency Information Line on 0300 123 5000.
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Journalists should contact the Highways Agency press office on 0844 693 1448 and use the menu to speak to the most appropriate press officer.