The M42 motorway near Birmingham Airport will be closed this weekend as part of HS2 construction work, with closures scheduled from 9pm on Friday, July 24 to 5am on Monday, July 27.
Closure Details and Impact
The northbound carriageway will be shut between junction 5a (Solihull/Birmingham Airport) and junction 9 (Curdworth and M6 Toll). Southbound, closures will be in place between junctions 6 and 9. These closures are necessary for HS2 engineers to install beams for the new M42 Motorway Box structure near Birmingham Business Park and continue work on the Water Orton viaducts, which will eventually carry the high-speed railway across the motorway network.
Similar closures are also planned for the weekends of August 14-17 and September 18-21.
Diversion and Travel Advice
Clearly signed diversion routes will be in place for all vehicle types. Traffic management teams, National Highways Traffic Officers, and regional transport control centres will monitor routes and respond to incidents. A spokesman for National Highways West Midlands said: “The M42 will be closed both ways between Junction 5a and Junction 9 northbound and Junction 7a and Junction 6 southbound this weekend for essential HS2 works. Closures start 9pm on Friday, July 24 to 5am on Monday, July 27. Please plan ahead and allow extra time for your journeys.”
Lee Morley, AA expert patrol, added: “These closures will affect one of the Midlands' busiest motorway corridors and drivers should be prepared for longer journey times, particularly at the start and end of each closure period. Although diversion routes will be clearly signed, traffic is likely to build on surrounding roads as motorists look for alternative routes. Drivers heading to Birmingham Airport, the NEC, Birmingham Business Park and other destinations around the M42 corridor should allow plenty of extra time and check traffic conditions before setting off. If you're travelling over one of the closure weekends, make sure your vehicle is ready for the journey, keep fuel levels topped up and take regular breaks if delays mean you're on the road for longer than planned.”
AA Advice for Drivers
The AA recommends the following: check traffic conditions and roadworks before travelling; allow extra time for journeys; follow signed diversion routes; keep fuel levels topped up before setting off; carry water and essentials in case of delays; consider travelling outside the busiest periods where possible. Drivers can use The AA Routeplanner and live traffic information services to help plan their journeys and avoid unnecessary delays.
