The M42 (Image: Copyright Unknown)

Exact time closed M42 will reopen as drivers brace for 'full weekend' of disruption and delays

by · Birmingham Live

Drivers planning to travel on a busy stretch of the M42 have been warned to expect delays and disruption for the 'full weekend'. National Highways has warned motorists to avoid the area as the carriageway will be closed from Friday to Monday.

Road users heading to Birmingham Airport, or the NEC in particular, were warned to expect disruption and allow extra time for their journeys. Delays are expected on the motorway as J6 Solihull and J7/7a Coleshill Interchange are closed for HS2 work.

The complex engineering operation will see the carriageway closed from Friday night into Monday morning, it has been warned. Motorists have been told to instead follow "signed diversion routes" in the area if travelling over the weekend.

Read more:M42 drivers urged 'avoid' as motorway set to close for three full weekends

The closures - which mark the first of three weekends over the next two months - run from 9pm on Friday night (Nov 1) and end at 5am on Monday (Nov 4). A National Highways spokesperson said: “We are working closely with HS2 to ensure the impact on our roads and our road users is minimised as far as possible.

"But this is a complex engineering operation and we need to close the road to enable HS2 to carry out their work safely.

"This will inevitably cause some disruption and delays to journeys are expected so we are urging people to avoid the area if possible during the closures. If you aren’t able to take an alternative route, please allow extra time for journeys, particularly if heading to Birmingham Airport or the NEC, and follow the signed diversion routes.”

HS2, together with its construction partner in the West Midlands, Balfour Beatty VINCI (BBV), need the road closures to carry out preparation work and create a safe working area in the central reservation of the motorway. The box structure can then be built in position over the motorway, with a 50mph speed limit in place.

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Doug Barnett, Senior Project Manager for HS2 Ltd, added: “Before we start building the structure, it’s important that we establish a safe environment for our workforce and road users. We also need to prepare the area for construction by removing pre-existing concrete foundations and installing ducting underground.

“While these temporary weekend closures are necessary at this stage, this does mean that we can then build the structure in place from the ground up – avoiding the need for any long-term closures of the motorway and keeping disruption to a minimum. We appreciate the patience of road users and are grateful for the ongoing support from National Highways as we carry out this important phase of work.”

The next closure will take place between 9pm on Friday, December 6 to 5am on Monday, December 9.