M42 delay alert as major motorway closed and Birmingham Airport passengers warned

M42 motorists have been told to brace for delays and diversions this weekend as the motorway closes for essential works. The M42, from junctions 6, at Solihull[1], and 7/7a, the Coleshill Interchange, was shut from 9pm on Friday, December 13 for HS2 works. The major carriageway won't reopen until 5am on Monday, December 16 - and there is a large diversion in place, which will impact Birmingham[2] Airport travellers.

Live traffic system INRIX was reporting on Saturday morning that delays would be expected in the area, particularly due to the diversion. Drivers also heading to the NEC will be impacted. The works, which will see an HS2 railway structure built, were scheduled to take place last weekend but were postponed due to Storm Darragh.

Brumwish 2024 - buy a gift for a child in need

BrumWish 2024 is Birmingham Live's festive drive to get thousands of gifts to children and young people across our city - among them the homeless, the vulnerable, kids in care, kids who are poorly or struggling, and kids who have little. There are THREE simple ways to help.

1. Buy a new gift from the Brumwish 2024 Amazon giftlist[4]. In just a click your donation will be whizzing its way to our volunteers at Edgbaston Stadium.
2. Donate money to the appeal fund[5] hosted by Thrive Together Birmingham - this will help pay for gifts for kids with specialist needs or specific wishes.
3. Buy a gift and, even better, rope in friends, neighbours and workmates to do the same, then drop off your pressies at Edgbaston Stadium, Edgbaston Road, B5 7QU on Friday 6th December, 10am - 3pm; Saturday 7th December, 10am - 1pm; or Monday 9th December, 10am - 1pm.

   Volunteers will be there to help you. Please don't wrap your gifts. You can also drop off by arrangement until Monday 16th December - contact Louise on 07469 979286.

Thanks to our partnership with #Toys4Birmingham, every single gift will find a good home in the loving care of a child living in B&Bs or hotels, hostels or refuges, children receiving support from specialist organisations and charities, and families being supported by children's centres and charities around the city.

Making up the Brumwish and Toys4Birmingham gang are Thrive Together Birmingham, Birmingham Playcare Network, Warwickshire Cricket Foundation (the charitable arm of Warwickshire County Cricket Club), Birmingham Forward Steps and BirminghamLive/Birmingham Mail. Thank you to Amazon UK and the amazing team at the Sutton Coldfield depot for their support. INIRIX said on Saturday morning: "M42 in both directions closed, delays expected due to weekend roadworks until the early hours of Monday morning from J6 A45 Coventry Road (Birmingham Airport[6] / Coventry) to J8 (M6 interchange).

"Until 6:00 on 16th December. Diversion - via the A45 and A452 through Stonebridge and the A446 through Coleshill." National Highways said: "To help progress HS2's work, the M42 will be closed both ways between J6-7a from 9pm on Fri 13 Dec to 5am on Mon 16 Dec.

"Please plan ahead and allow extra time for journeys." Drivers will be diverted off the M42 through the A45 and A452 towards Coleshill to get through the junction closure.

References

1. ^ Solihull (www.birminghammail.co.uk)
2. ^ Birmingham (www.birminghammail.co.uk)
3. ^ White postbox installed outside Solihull funeral home in moving gesture (www.birminghammail.co.uk)
4. ^ the Brumwish 2024 Amazon giftlist (www.amazon.co.uk)
5. ^ the appeal fund (thrivetogetherbham.org)
6. ^ Birmingham Airport (www.birminghammail.co.uk)