Drivers warned as M6 works bring months of closures and diversions - full list
Key parts of the M6 will have lane closures and diversions for a number of months as National Highways carry out a major maintenance programme. Key stretches of the motorway, including at the A38 and Spaghetti Junction, will have diversions for motorists as National Highways workers carry out upgrades.
The M5 will also be affected with slip lane closures in place as well as signed diversion routes so that workers can carry out improvements safely. National Highways have reassured motorists that they will make "every effort" to keep disruption to a minimum.
The M6 junction 6 maintenance work begins on October 1 and will run for a whole year and M6, M5 and A38M gantry works began in August and are due run to until December. We've rounded up this major programme of works below as well as a reminder of ongoing works to help with planning ahead.
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M6 junction 6 maintenance work - October 1 2024 to October 30 2025
A National Highways spokesperson said: "We’ll be renewing and repainting parts of the structure underneath Spaghetti Junction, below the M6 and alongside the A5127 Lichfield Road. This work will ensure that the structure is well maintained and accessible for our operatives.
"We’ll work during the day between, 7am and 5pm, from 1 October 2024 to 30 October 2025, Monday to Friday. The majority of our work will be carried out off network with no impact to the surrounding roads. However, there may be occasions where we need to lift equipment down to the worksite. In order to do this safely, we will need to install some slip road closures and lane closures."
While there are no planned closures currently, Highways said that during upcoming closures there will be a fully signed diversion route. For all closures, traffic will be diverted to M6 junction 7 and back.
Emergency vehicles will have access throughout. A National Highways spokesperson added: "We’ll make every effort to ensure the impact on the local community and travelling public is kept to a minimum. We’ll also work to carefully manage noise levels and additional lighting.
"We always aim to work to the programme, however unforeseen circumstances or adverse weather conditions may mean changes. We’d also encourage drivers to stick to speed limits and follow appropriate signage to ensure the safety of all road users."
Spaghetti Junction and M5 works
National Highways will be working on the Spaghetti Junction, the M6 at junction 9 and the M5 at junction 2. The overnight works began in August and will run until December 17 2024 operating between 9pm to 6am. Workers will be cleaning, painting and installing new technology and platforms to ensure that the structure continues to be safe and well maintained.
September 13 to September 25 2024 - Full closure of the link roads from the M6 northbound and southbound to Salford Circus. Traffic will be diverted from the M6 northbound or southbound onto the A38(M) to Park Circus. At Park Circus traffic will exit onto the B4132 Waterlinks Boulevard. Traffic will then join the A5127 Lichfield Road to Salford Circus to continue their journey.
September 26 to October 10 2024 - Full closure of the northbound exit slip on the M5 at junction 2. Traffic will be diverted to M5 junction 1 to exit and rejoin the M5 southbound where they can exit at junction 2 using the southbound exit slip and continue on their journey. On October 1 and 5 work will start at 11pm to account for additional traffic travelling for the West Bromwich Albion F.C. football match.
October 11 to November 12 2024 - Full closure of the southbound entry slip on the M5 at junction 2. Traffic will be diverted onto the M5 northbound to junction 1. At junction 1 traffic will exit and re-join the M5 on the southbound carriageway to continue on their journey.
M5 between junction 4 and junction 4a
Workers will be resurfacing the M5 between junction 4 and junction 4a from September 30 to October 11 2024. Work will take place overnight (10pm to 4am) from Monday to Friday.
M5 northbound - September 30 to October 7. Closed between junction 4a and junction 4.
M5 southbound - October 8 to October 11. Closed between junction 4 and junction 4a.
There will be a fully signed diversion routes by the M42 and A38 Birmingham Road/Halesowen Road.
M5 northbound junction 4a to junction 4 diversion
If you want to travel northbound on the M5:
leave the M5 northbound at junction 4a
join the M42 northbound
at junction 2 (Hopwood Park Interchange), leave the M42 northbound and join the M42 southbound
at junction 1 (Forest Island), leave the M42 and join the A38 Birmingham Road/Halesowen Road
re-join the M5 at junction 4 and continue your journey.
If you want to travel southbound on the M5:
leave the M5 southbound at junction 4
join the A38 Halesowen Road/Birmingham Road
join the M42 northbound at junction 1 (Forest Island)
At junction 2 (Hopwood Park Interchange), leave the M42 northbound and join the M42 southbound
re-join the M5 at junction 4a and continue your journey.