Work to improve key junction for Birmingham Airport and NEC starts next week
Night time work to increase the number of lanes linking the M42 at junction 6 to Birmingham Airport, the NEC and other key destinations will start next Monday (16 June).
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 £317million pinch point scheme, which aims to boost local economies by reducing congestion and delays at key locations.
The work involves widening the A45 Coventry Road eastbound to four lanes at the approach to junction 6 of the M42 and widening the roundabout to provide four lanes.
It 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.
The work will take until November to complete and throughout that time drivers are advised to leave extra time for their journeys and check the Highways Agency website for the current situation and suggested alternative routes.
Highways Agency Project Manager Debbie Makinde said real consideration had been given to minimising disruption to all road users and local businesses at this vital junction:
We’re well aware what a busy location this is and that is the very reason we are carrying out this important pinch point project. We have liaised thoroughly with the NEC, airport, museum and others to ensure the work causes as little inconvenience as possible.
We’ve given it careful thought and have suggested alternative routes to these destinations, which will be clearly signed from the local road and motorway network.
From next Monday work will start at 20:00 each night and continue until 06:00 the next morning. There will also be occasional night time full closures, which will be advised in advance with well-signed diversion routes. From mid-July work will commence on the A45 eastbound exit slip.
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 the scheme and details of traffic management throughout the project please go to the Highways Agency’s website 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.