Busy motorway junction set for major upgrade ahead of HS2

ONE of the region’s busiest motorway junctions is set to undergo major improvements in preparation for the development of a new interchange station serving the HS2 high speed rail line.

Ahead of the work, businesses in the area are being consulted on three options for the upgrade, which applies to Junction 6 of the M42, the exit for Birmingham Airport and the NEC.

Highways England launches the seven-week consultation today (Friday).

The agency is proposing changes to improve the capacity of the junction to accommodate increasing traffic demand and to support access to the airport and the exhibition centre, as well as prepare for the new HS2 interchange station.

The consultation runs until January 27.

The three options are:

Option 1 – Link to the west of Bickenhill

This would provide a new 2.4km dual carriageway link between the Clock Interchange and a junction allowing north and south access to the M42 north of Solihull Road.

Option 2 – Link to the east of Bickenhill

This would provide a new 2.3km dual carriageway link between the Clock Interchange and a junction allowing north and south access to the M42 north of Solihull Road.

Option 3 – Link to the east of Bickenhill

This would provide a new 1.6km dual carriageway link between the Clock Interchange and a south facing junction on the M42 north of Shadowbrook Lane.

There are also plans to improve traffic flow at the roundabout by providing dedicated left turn links at the NEC, National Motorcycle Museum and north east area of the roundabout.

Jonathan Pizzey, Senior Project Manager, Highways England 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.”

A series of consultation events have been arranged to give people the opportunity to find out more about the scheme and ask questions of the project team.

The events take place as follows:
•    Friday December 9: 2 to 8pm. The Arden Hotel, Coventry Road, Solihull, B92 OEH
•    Saturday December 10: 10am to 4pm. Catherine-de-Barnes Village Hall, Hampton Lane, B91 2TJ
•    Monday December 12: 10am to 6pm. Fentham Hall, Marsh Lane, Hampton-in- Arden, B92 0AH
•    Wednesday January 4: 10am to 5pm. The Core, Touchwood, Solihull, B91 3RG
•    Saturday January 14: 9am to 6pm. The NEC, North Avenue, Birmingham, B40 1NT – (between atrium entrances 2 and 3)

Details of the proposed options and a questionnaire for people to complete to obtain their views will be available on the Highways England website from today.

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