Motorists in Birmingham are being warned of five separate road closures on key routes over the festive period, with one expected to cause significant delays.
Key Disruptions for Festive Travel
National Highways has confirmed a series of works that will impact drivers in and around the city during the busy Christmas and New Year period. While four closures are already underway, one new disruption is scheduled to begin imminently. The most severe delay is forecast for a major motorway, where holdups of between 10 and 30 minutes are anticipated.
Ongoing Closures and Expected Delays
The following four closures, already in place, are set to continue affecting travel this week:
- A5 both directions, Gailey to Mansetter Roundabout: A mobile lane closure with stop-and-go boards is in operation for maintenance. This work started at 9am on December 8 and runs until 5pm on December 19, causing slight delays of under 10 minutes.
- M6, junction 6 BC link road: A 24-hour hatched area is in place for bridge repairs from midnight on January 3 until 6am on December 31. Slight delays are expected.
- M6 both directions, junction 5 to junction 6: This carriageway closure for maintenance, which began at 9pm on July 28, 2025 and lasts until 6am on April 2, 2026, is causing moderate delays of 10-30 minutes. A diversion is in place via the National Highways and local authority network.
- A38M southbound, into city from M6 junction 6 to Park Circus: Advanced warning signage is installed for works on behalf of Birmingham City Council. This closure runs from 10pm on July 3, 2025 to 5am on July 3, 2026, with slight delays anticipated.
New Festive Closure on M5
An additional closure is set to begin in the coming days, adding to the festive travel headaches. On the M5 northbound from junction 3 to junction 2, a lane closure for maintenance works will be in effect from 9pm on December 19 until 6am on December 20. Drivers should plan for slight delays of under 10 minutes during this overnight period.
Planning Your Journeys
National Highways, which is responsible for maintaining motorways and major A-roads, advises all drivers to check their latest travel updates before setting out. It is important to note that closures on smaller local roads are not included in this schedule and may be managed by local authorities. With the combination of ongoing projects and new festive works, allowing extra time for travel in the Birmingham area is strongly recommended over the next two weeks.
