M5 drivers hit by lane closure between Oldbury and Quinton

Drivers have been hit by delays due to 'emergency repairs', with motorway cameras showing the carriageway empty of traffic

15:00, 31 Jan 2026

A lane closure has been put in place between Junction 2, Oldbury, and Junction 3, Quinton(Image: motorwaycameras.co.uk )

Drivers on the M5 face delays today following a lane closure.

One lane has been closed on the carriageway[1] heading southbound between the Black Country and Birmingham.

A damaged car was spotted on the hard shoulder, with another car parked behind.

Get breaking news on BirminghamLive WhatsApp[3], click the link to join

There was no other traffic[4] visible on the southbound carriageway, save for a National Highways vehicle that was seen in lane three amongst some cones.

Traffic monitoring service Inrix said the lane closure was put in place for 'emergency repairs'.

Live traffic data on Google showed tailbacks from Junction 3, Quinton(Image: Google)

Live traffic data from Google revealed that areas of red stretching back from near Junction 3, Quinton, indicating tailbacks.

Inrix reported that traffic was 'coping well' despite the lane closure[5].

The traffic monitoring service wrote: "One lane closed due to emergency repairs on M5 Southbound from J2 A4123 Wolverhampton Road (Oldbury/Dudley[6]) to J3 A456 Quinton Expressway (Halesowen/Birmingham[7]).

"Traffic is coping well."

New number plate changes now in effect with GBP1,000 fines for drivers[8]

Motorists of certain group told they 'must stop driving' even though it's legal[9]

UK motorists urged not to park by trees for three weeks due to little-known rule[10]

References

1. ^ carriageway (www.birminghammail.co.uk)
2. ^ The Midlands town where your postcode means you could live five years longer (www.birminghammail.co.uk)
3. ^ BirminghamLive WhatsApp (chat.whatsapp.com)
4. ^ traffic (www.birminghammail.co.uk)
5. ^ lane closure (www.birminghammail.co.uk)
6. ^ Dudley (www.birminghammail.co.uk)
7. ^ Birmingham (www.birminghammail.co.uk)
8. ^ New number plate changes now in effect with GBP1,000 fines for drivers (www.birminghammail.co.uk)
9. ^ Motorists of certain group told they 'must stop driving' even though it's legal (www.birminghammail.co.uk)
10. ^ UK motorists urged not to park by trees for three weeks due to little-known rule (www.birminghammail.co.uk)