Major overnight closures of the M42 and connecting links will take place this weekend to allow engineers working on the High Speed 2 project to extend structures over the motorway close to Solihull. National Highways has confirmed lanes will be shut from late Friday evening until early Monday morning to enable delivery of construction materials and installation work.
Which roads and when
The closures cover both directions of the M42 between junctions near the borough and include the southbound link from the M6. In addition, parts of the M6toll will be shut for set periods to allow safe movement of heavy materials into the works area.
- M42: full closure northbound between junctions 6 and 9, and southbound between junctions 7a and 6 from 9pm on Friday until 5am on Monday;
- M6 J4a (southbound link to the M42): closed in both directions during the same period;
- M6toll southbound at T2: closed from 10pm on the night before works begin until midday on Saturday;
- M6toll northbound connecting road between M6 J3a and T1: closed from 9pm Friday until 5am Monday.
National Highways has set out diversion routes. Drivers will be directed via the A446 and the M6 where appropriate while access will be restricted from the M42 northbound. Outside the specified closures the M6toll will operate as normal.
Why the closures are needed
The closures form part of a wider operation to extend the Water Orton viaducts and to continue installation of concrete roof beams on a twin-box structure that will carry the HS2 line over a 300-metre section of the motorway near Solihull. Work began in June when crews started a multi-phase programme to install 175 roof beams to complete the twin-box covering for both carriageways.
“Our engineers will begin the process of extending the Water Orton viaducts over the M42, while a separate team will continue to install the next set of concrete roof beams on top of our twin box structure near Solihull,”
The statement from the project's contractor explains both operations are being scheduled for the same weekend with the stated aim of minimising disruption to motorists.
Local impact and context
For Solihull residents and businesses the planned works will produce concentrated travel disruption over the weekend, affecting freight and commuter routes that use the M42 and the M6 interchange. Road closures of this scale can also increase local traffic on alternative routes, including the A446 and borough roads that link to the motorway network.
| Road | Planned closure window | Key diversion |
|---|---|---|
| M42 (sections) | 9pm Friday to 5am Monday | A446 / M6 |
| M6toll southbound at T2 | 10pm (Friday) to midday (Saturday) | M6 J4 then M6 southbound |
| M6toll connecting road (northbound) | 9pm Friday to 5am Monday | M6 J4 – A446 northbound to T1 |
Local authorities and transport bodies typically advise drivers to plan journeys in advance, allow extra time, or use alternative routes where possible. Operators of local bus and coach services may also revise timetables in response to motorway closures.
Work on the twin-box and the Water Orton viaducts represents a significant phase of HS2 construction in the Midlands. The structures will enable trains to travel above motorway traffic while preserving vehicular movement below, a major engineering task requiring large components and specialist installation methods.
Further information, including full diversion maps and updates to timings, is being issued by National Highways and the HS2 programme as the operation approaches.
