Press release

Work to improve traffic flow at M5 junction 4 starts mid-July

Work to improve a busy junction on the M5 near Birmingham starts next week and will require changes to the road layout and temporary speed limits.

The £11 million scheme will involve widening the roundabout at junction 4 – Lydiate Ash – and improving both exit slip roads.

Two existing bridges across the M5 will need to be widened as part of the scheme, which starts next Friday, 11 July and will take until Spring next year to complete.

It is the latest scheme in the Midlands being carried out as part of the Government’s £317 million pinch point programme, which aims to boost local economies by reducing congestion and delays at key locations.

The M5 will be reduced to three narrow lanes where it approaches junction 4 and two lanes through the junction. At various points there will be speed limits of 50mph and 40mph. These speed limits are for the safety of road workers and all road users.

The roundabout will remain fully open to traffic between 06:00 and 19:30 each day for most of the work, but there will be an 11-week period when it will be necessary to reduce to two lanes.

Some night closures of the M5 through the junction will be required, but these will be advertised in advance. There will also be a closure of up to 48 hours needed through the junction to allow bridge beams to be lifted into place. Overnight closure of the roundabout will also be required to install safety barriers.

Highways Agency Project Manager, Debbie Makinde said drivers should be prepared to reduce their speed around the junction and take extra care as the road layout may change as work progresses:

When complete this work will really improve this busy junction, with traffic flowing better, reduced queuing back onto the motorway and increased capacity on the exit slip roads.

The new spiral road markings on the roundabout will also virtually remove the need for drivers to make lane changing manoeuvres once on the roundabout.

These improvements will inevitably cause some disruption while work is carried out, but we ask drivers to bear with us as the end result will really improve their journeys.

The pinch point improvement programme is designed to boost local economies, reduce congestion and improve safety on the strategic road network in England. It is part of the UK government’s growth initiative, outlined during the Chancellor’s Autumn Statement in November 2011.

For more information about this scheme and details of traffic management throughout the project please go to the dedicated webpage for the latest information http://www.highways.gov.uk/roads/road-projects/m5-junction-4-improvements/ or call the Highways Agency Information Line on 0300 123 5000.

Also see this short clip on YouTube http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GMN6xixp1RQ.

General enquiries

Members of the public should contact the Highways Agency Information Line on 0300 123 5000

Media enquiries

Journalists should contact the Highways Agency press office on 0844 693 1448 and use the menu to speak to the most appropriate press officer

Published 3 July 2014