DRIVERS are being advised to check before they travel as a busy stretch of the M42 will be closed for three upcoming weekends whilst HS2 building work takes place.

The motorway will be closed between junction six for Solihull and junction 7/7a for Coleshill Interchange northbound and southbound, including the links arms from M6 South to M42 south and the M6 North to the M42 South.

The planned closures will take place on the following dates:

  • From 9pm on Friday 1 November until 5am on Monday 4 November
  • From 9pm on Friday 6 December until 5am on Monday 9 December
  • From 9pm on Friday 13 December until 5am on Monday 16 December

The closures are part of works to install a structure that will carry the HS2 high-speed railway line over the M42 near Birmingham Business Park and the NEC.

Doug Barnett, Senior Project Manager for HS2 Ltd, said: “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.

Details for the diverted route for Northbound traffic Details for the diverted route for Northbound traffic (Image: National Highways) “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.”

A National Highways spokesperson added: “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.

The diverted routes for drivers travelling Southbound The diverted routes for drivers travelling Southbound (Image: National Highways) “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.”

Diversions will be in place, directing drivers to travel along the A45 to Stonebridge Island before re-joining the M42.