M6 in Birmingham expected to be closed for much of the day

THE M6 in Birmingham is expected to remain congested for most of the day, Highways England has said.

Latest predictions are that the northbound section between Junction 5 at Castle Bromwich and Spaghetti Junction (J6) will not reopen until around 2.30pm.

The southbound carriageway has now been reopened but the highways body has warned of severe delays in the area.

The motorway was closed following a fatal collision between car and a shortly around 2am this morning.

The accident caused severe problems for rush hour traffic and roads around Birmingham city centre were gridlocked for hours, with some motorists facing up to 90-minute delays to their journey.

The situation was compounded by a police incident in Digbeth where a man was shot dead during an attempted warehouse robbery.

Motorway users have been advised to follow the ‘Hollow Circle’ diversion symbol directing them to leave the M6 at J5, take the exit to A452 (north). At the junction with the A47 they should follow the A47 westbound and continue to B4137. There they should continue on the B4137 (west) to the junction with the A5127 (Lichfield Road). From there, they should remain on the A5127 to ‘Salford’s Circus’ and take the exit for M6 North.

Road users travelling from further afield to the North West or South have been advised to seek alternative routes on the M5/M42 around Birmingham.

All road users have been advised to allow extra time for their journeys.