M42 upgrade is planned for busy airport junction
ONE of the West Midlands’ most notorious motorway junctions is to undergo a programme of upgrade works in a bid to cut congestion.
Junction six of the M42 serves Birmingham Airport, the NEC complex, which includes Resorts World and Genting Arena, and the National Motorcycle Museum as well as connecting to the A45 Coventry Road.
The already busy area will also serve a new station being built for the high-speed rail line HS2 which will run between Birmingham and London from 2026.
Highways England has now launched a series of consultation events to highlight the options it is considering and discuss the propos- als with the public. The three options are: Link to the west of Bickenhill This would provide a new 1.5-mile dual carriageway link between the Clock Interchange and a junction allowing north and south access to the M42 north of Solihull Road. Link to the east of Bickenhill This would provide a new 1.4-mile dual carriageway link between the Clock Interchange and a junction allowing north and south access to the M42 north of Solihull Road. Link to the east of Bickenhill This would provide a new onemile dual carriageway link between the Clock Interchange and a south facing junction on the M42 north of Shadowbrook Lane.
Highways England said there were also plans to improve traffic flow at the junction six roundabout by providing dedicated left turn links at the NEC, National Motorcycle Museum and north east area of the roundabout. Senior project manager Jonathan Pizzey said: “We’re delivering major investment in the West Midlands as part of a nationwide commitment to improving our roads.
“We want people to have their say on the options we are proposing ahead of developing the scheme further to a preferred route.”
The consultation events place: will take
Tomorrow, Friday December 9, 2pm-8pm, Arden Hotel, Coventry Road, Solihull
Saturday, December 10, 10am4pm. Catherine-de-Barnes Village Hall, Hampton Lane
Monday December 12, 10am6pm. Fentham Hall, Marsh Lane, Hampton-in- Arden
Wednesday January 4, 10am5pm, The Core, Touchwood, Solihull
Saturday January 14, 9am-6pm, The NEC (between atrium entrances two and three), Solihull
There will also be a web chat on January 18 from 11am to 2pm via the Highways England website. A further exhibition stand will be available within the Ladies Kennel Association Show at the NEC on Saturday and Sunday and more details about the options and a questionnaire will be available on the Highways England website from tomorrow.
Jonathan Pizzey