Express & Star

Misery for motorists as major roads shut for works

More misery is on the way for motorists as a major programme of road closures is announced on main routes into Birmingham for 'unavoidable' repair work.

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The waterproofing and road resurfacing work started last year but was put on hold while a series of high-profile events took place in the city, including the Rugby World Cup and the opening of Grand Central shopping centre by the Queen.

The news comes as commuters continue to struggle to negotiate the travel chaos caused by the £500 million Paradise Circus project. But highways chiefs say the latest work is crucial and could boost economic growth by more than £1 billion and create 300,000 jobs. At the same time, new figures show that traffic jams cost West Midlands firms more than £2.2bn a year in lost time, extra fuel costs and stress.

Paul Faulkner, chief executive of the Greater Birmingham Chambers of Commerce,

said: Like much of the road network built around that time (1972), it requires a large amount of work to keep it up to scratch. Having a safe, well-maintained road network is crucial for businesses."

The roadworks timetable is:

  • A38(M) Aston Expressway(out of city): Night-time closures on the way out of city carriageway, effective from July 1. Closures will be introduced on the Aston Expressway, Park Circus and Salford Circus.

  • A38(M) Aston Expressway (in and out of city): The central lane will be coned off for the duration of the work with three narrow lanes open out of the city and 30mph speed limits.

  • Park Circus: Northbound on slip will be closed for the duration of the works.

  • Salford Circus: No access to M6 from Lichfield Road and Tyburn Road.

Affected roads from July 22:

  • A38(M) Aston expressway: The out of city carriageway will be reduced to two open lanes in the daytime.

  • A38(M) Aston Expressway (from city): No access to the Expressway or M6 and will be closed.

  • No access to the Expressway. Road closed at Dartmouth Circus (Matalan island).

  • A38(M) from Aston Expressway (from Erdington): No access to the Expressway or M6.

  • Park Circus: Northbound on slip will be closed for the duration of the work.

  • Salford Circus: No access to the M6 from Lichfield Road/Tyburn Road.

  • M6 Junction 6: Closed to all traffic, no exit from the M6.

  • M6 Junction 4: A452 Collector Road to M6 Junction 5 then follow J5 diversion.

  • M6 Junction 5: Bromford and A47 Heartlands Parkway and Tyburn Raod.

  • M6 Junction 7: A34 Walsall Road.

  • M5 Junction 3: A456 Hagley Road.

  • M5 Junction 4: A38 Bristol Road.

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