Traffic Alert: Long delays to M42 after serious accident

6.30pm Update

All lanes have been reopened but there is still congestion in the area. delays running to around 10 minutes

4.15pm Update

Highways England has now said the incident will not return to normal until around 7pm.

It has forecast delays of around 40 minutes compared to normal journey times.

***

AN accident between a car and a lorry has brought massive disruption to the West Midlands’ motorway network and threatens to delay people heading to Birmingham Airport.

There are currently two lanes closed and very slow traffic on the M42 northbound between Junction 6 (A45 exit for Birmingham Airport) and Junction 7, the link to the M6, because of the accident.

Recovery work is taking pace but a fuel spillage is also having to be cleared up, compounding delays. Congestion is currently back to Junction 4 of the M42 (exit for Shirley).

Highways England has said there are currently delays of around 50 minutes to normal journey times and the situation is not expected to return to normal for several hours, threatening further disruption to Friday’s extended rush-hour.

Drivers have been advised to check before travelling and to avoid the area if possible. People heading to Birmingham Airport have also been advised to allow extra time for their journey.