Highway England plans to invest £282m on M42 Junction 6 improvements

TINNews |

Highways England (HE) has plans to invest £282m to improve M42 Junction 6 near Solihull in the West Midlands, UK.

Ending in January, three options were discussed in a seven-week consultation. In light of the meetings, HE is proceeding with a modified version of Option 1 as the preferred route for M42 Junction 6.

This modification shifts the route slightly closer to the south west corner of Bickenhill to avoid a local business in the area and minimise the effect on the Bickenhill Meadows, a Site of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI).

Option 1 was supported by 64% of people who responded to the consultation.

This route will see the addition of a new 2.4km dual carriageway link road aligned to the west of Bickenhill between the A45 Clock Interchange, and a new junction on the M42 south of Junction 6 located north of Solihull Road.

"Option 1 was supported by 64% of people who responded to the consultation."

The decision to take forward Option 1 has also received the support of Birmingham International Airport, and the UK Urban Growth Company.

Under the scheme, there are plans to boost traffic flow at the bottleneck roundabout by providing left turn links between the M42 and A45 at the NEC and the north east side of the roundabout.

This is expected to benefit motorists by minimising congestion and improving journey times around the junction, as well as access to and from the motorway.

Minimising the effect on the A45, HE will also undertake improvements to the M42 Junction 6 roundabout, Clock Interchange, and the A45 between the two junctions.

Construction of the project is expected to start in 2020 and completion is anticipated in 2023.