M42 lorry fire live as drivers stuck in gridlock traffic

Motorists are stuck in gridlock traffic on the M42 southbound[1] after a lorry blaze on the major motorway. One lane is currently closed just prior to J3A of the M40 after the vehicle caught fire. An image of the burnt-out lorry, near J4, was shared with BirminghamLive[2].

It showed a firefighters at the scene and white smoke billowing from the truck. West Midlands Roads said drivers should expect delays of around 60 minutes due to the blaze. The latest update on traffic website Inrix reads: "Very slow traffic and one lane closed due to a lorry fire on M42 southbound at J4.

Get the latest Birmingham Live breaking news on WhatsApp[4] "Lane two has reopened. Lanes one (of three) remains closed."

A spokesperson for West Midlands Roads wrote on social media platform X: "Live lane closed. M42 southbound just prior to J3A, M40. "Vehicle fire.

Delays of approximately 60 minutes."

This is a breaking news story.

Follow our live blog updates below for the very latest on M42 traffic.

References

1. ^ M42 southbound (www.birminghammail.co.uk)
2. ^ BirminghamLive (www.birminghammail.co.uk)
3. ^ Full list of bus and metro services disrupted in Birmingham city centre (www.birminghammail.co.uk)
4. ^ Get the latest Birmingham Live breaking news on WhatsApp (chat.whatsapp.com)