Traffic Alert: M5 closure gridlocks Black Country routes

THE M5 is closed northbound between Junction 2 (Oldbury) and Junction 1 (West Bromwich) due to an incident involving two lorries.

Highways engineers are clearing up following recovery but the carriageway remains closed and it will not re-open until it is safe, Highways England has said.

In the meantime, roads around Oldbury remain badly congested and there is disruption to traffic heading north on the M5 back to Junction 3 at Halesowen.

Motorists exiting the motorway at Junction 2 have been advised to follow the Hollow Circle diversion symbol, which is directing traffic onto the link road to the A4123 / A4034 (Birchley Island).

Vehicles are then continuing on the link road and at the roundabout are taking the exit onto the A4034 northbound. From here they continue to the A457 roundabout, where they take the third exit onto the A457.

From there, the diversion takes them on the A457 to the A4252 roundabout and then the A4252 to re-join the M5 at Junction 1.

The area around West Bromwich is also severely congested and Highways England has said the closure may stay in effect until 4.30pm.

Traffic heading south on the M5 is also slow past the scene.

Drivers have been advised to avoid the area if possible and to allow extra time for their journeys.