M42 chaos as vehicle fire near Birmingham Airport causing major delays

-Credit: (Image: Reach Publishing Services Limited)
-Credit: (Image: Reach Publishing Services Limited)


M42 motorists face severe disruption this evening (September 25) due to a vehicle fire. The fire, which looks to have taken hold of a lorry, has closed three lanes.

Traffic began building at around 6pm and there are now major queues on the major Midlands motorway. The fire is near to the Birmingham Airport junction, meaning those planning to catch a flight from BHX should look for alternative routes.

Traffic was briefly held at 6pm while emergency service crews were on scene, however it was released shortly after. West Midlands Fire Service have now put the fire out after but heavy delays are building on both sides of the M42.

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The southbound side of the M42 is affected by long queues between Junction 4 and 5, with tailbacks to Junction 6, which serves BHX. However as traffic builds, there is growing congestion on the other side of the M42 to junction 3A.

National Highways have warned that delays are building this evening and traffic cameras are showing stretching queues and billowing smoke across the carriageway.

Live traffic system INRIX said: "Long delays and three lanes closed due to earlier vehicle fire on M42 Southbound between J5 A41 Solihull By-pass (Solihull/Knowle) and J4 A3400 Stratford Road (Shirley/Dorridge). Congestion to J6 (Birmingham Airport/Coventry). The opposite side is also congested back to J3A (M40 Interchange). The fire has been put out. All traffic was briefly held at around 18:05."

National Highways posted a picture of the queues on X, warning: NEW INCIDENT M42 between J5 Solihull and J6 BHX, NEC and Resorts World. 3 lanes closed due to a vehicle fire. West Midlands Fire Service on scene. Delays building."

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