Next phase of work starts to improve key junction for Birmingham Airport and NEC
The next phase of work to increase the number of lanes linking the M42 to Birmingham Airport, the NEC and other key destinations starts on Friday (18 July).
The project will ease congestion at this important junction and improve journeys for travellers catching flights and those attending events at the NEC or the National Motorcycle Museum.
It is part of the Government’s £317 million pinch point scheme, which aims to boost local economies by reducing congestion and delays at key locations.
Work on the pinch point scheme started last month with night-time lane closures on the roundabout to widen it to provide four lanes, which will continue, but on Friday work will also start to widen the A45 Coventry Road eastbound exit slip road to junction 6 of the M42. This will require lane closures on the eastbound A45.
When completed in November, the improvements will reduce excessive queues and the likelihood of delays at particularly busy times when large events are taking place nearby and there is a busy flight schedule at the airport.
During the work, drivers heading for the airport or the NEC from the M6 northbound and southbound are advised to use junction 4 of the M6, where there will be signed routes to the NEC and airport from this Friday until November when the work is scheduled to finish. Drivers are advised to leave extra time for journeys and check the Highways Agency website for the latest information before travelling.
Highways Agency Project Manager Debbie Makinde said careful consideration had been given to minimising disruption to all road users and local businesses at this vital junction.
She said all organisations affected had worked together to come up with the best solution and this had included liaising with Solihull Council regarding the A45 and Birmingham City Council to ensure the closure of the tunnels in the city centre, which also starts Friday, did not impact road users further.
We’re well aware what a busy location this is and especially at this time of year. We have liaised thoroughly with the NEC, airport, National Motorcycle Museum, Solihull Council and Birmingham City Council to ensure the work causes as little inconvenience as possible.
Alternative routes to the key destinations will be clearly signed from the local road and motorway network.
On Friday night the eastbound carriageway of the A45 will be closed from 20.00 until 06.00 on Saturday morning, when the new carriageway layout will be in position. Work will then be undertaken day and night to construct the new carriageway to the eastbound exit slip road.
Any drivers using the A45 eastbound will have to exit at Clock Island for the M42 junction 6, as there will be no exit after Clock Island. Traffic will then be directed east to Stonebridge Island where it will circle the junction and return on the westbound carriageway for the M42 junction 6.
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.
A dedicated webpage with the best advice throughout the scheme is available at http://www.highways.gov.uk/roads/road-projects/m42-junction-6-improvement/ or call the Highways Agency Information Line on 0300 123 5000.
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.