Traffic Alert: M42 closed after serious accident and fire

11am Update:

The resurfacing has now been completed following the earlier vehicle fire and all lanes have reopened. Delays are said to be easing.

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The M42 is closed southbound between Junction 2 (Redditch) and the M5 due to a serious accident and resultant vehicle fire.

The vehicles involved in the accident have been recovered and resurfacing of the carriageway is taking place.

A diversion route is available with southbound traffic leaving the motorway at Junction 2 and then following the black hollow circle symbol, via the A441 heading southbound to the A448 at Redditch, then taking the A448 (Bromsgrove Highway) westbound to Bromsgrove before finally taking the A38 southbound to re-join the M5 at Junction 5 (Droitwich).

Delays are likely to remain until after rush-hour and drivers have been ured to allow extra time for the journeys and to avoid the area until the road reopens.