Traffic Alert: M6 shut both directions at Birmingham in preparation for controlled bomb explosion

5pm Update: Police have reopened the M6 through Birmingham after the motorway was declared safe following the controlled detonation of a wartime bomb at a Aston construction site.

However, the northbound and southbound exits of the A38 Aston Expressway at Junction 6 (Spaghetti) remain closed for the time being.

Police had earlier closed a 13-mile stretch of the motorway between Junctions 4 (Coventry North) and 7 (Great Barr) while bomb disposal experts carried out the controlled explosion.

There are still long delays being reported in the area, with predictions that conditions won’t return to normal until after 7.30pm.

The tailbacks are also having a knock-on effect for the M5 northbound with traffic heading towards the M6 link facing severe delays.

CrossCity North train services have been cancelled for the rest of the day, while buses are also facing major delays as they get caught up in the congestion.

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Motorists using the M6 in Birmingham have been warned to expect long delays as the motorway is shut completely for several miles in both directions as bomb disposal experts prepare for a controlled explosion of the wartime device discovered in Aston.

The M6 is now closed northbound between Junctions 4 (Coventry North) and 7 (Great Barr) in preparation for the controlled explosion.

Southbound closures are set to implemented shortly.

The existing closures to the A38 Aston Expressway remain in place.

The closures will have a knock-on effect for the M42 and especially the northbound M5, where the link to the M6 has been congested for most of the day.

The wartime bomb with surrounding sandbags, ready for a controlled explosion (West Midlands Ambulance Service)

Highways England said the link roads from the M6 at Junction 8 North to M5 South and the M5 North to M6 Junction 8 South are both closed and the road is expected to be closed for several hours with Central Motorway Police Group on scene.

Motorists have been advised to allow additional travelling time if heading towards the area and alternative routes should to considered where possible.

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