Rush Hour Gridlock After Multi-Vehicle Collision
Commuters faced severe travel disruption on Thursday afternoon after a significant crash involving five vehicles forced the closure of a major route in Birmingham. The incident occurred on Chester Road near Castle Vale, a critical link between Spitfire Island and the M6 motorway's Junction 5 for Castle Bromwich.
Details of the Incident
The collision, which took place at approximately 3pm on November 21, 2025, involved two cars, two vans, and a lorry. The impact was significant enough to require the complete closure of the section of Chester Road leading towards the M6, causing immediate and widespread congestion throughout the Castle Vale area and beyond.
West Midlands Police attended the scene and have confirmed that, thankfully, no serious injuries were reported from the multi-vehicle pile-up. Authorities have asked any witnesses to come forward by contacting them via Live Chat on the official website or by calling 101 and quoting log number 3109 of 21 November.
Widespread Travel Disruption and Delays
The road closure had an immediate and dramatic effect on evening rush hour traffic. Drone footage captured the extent of the gridlock, with heavy congestion building on:
- Chester Road itself, approaching Spitfire Island.
- The A47 Fort Parkway.
- Surrounding roads within Castle Vale, including Farnborough Road and Tangmere Drive.
In response to the closure, West Midlands Roads used social media platform X to alert drivers, stating: “Spitfire Island Incident. Road closed towards M6. Plan Ahead: Allow extra time for your journey and consider alternative routes where possible.”
The disruption also impacted public transport, with National Express West Midlands confirming that its services 28, 64, 71, and 96 were being diverted towards Castle Bromwich via Fort Parkway, Bromford Lane, and Coleshill Road.
Road Reopened Amid Residual Delays
The scene was eventually cleared, and the road was reopened at around 5:30pm. However, West Midlands Roads warned that some residual delays remained in the area as traffic slowly returned to normal patterns. Motorists were advised to continue allowing extra time for their journeys into the evening. The incident serves as a stark reminder of how a single collision on a key arterial route can cause extensive travel chaos across a city during peak hours.
