Drivers told to avoid M5 during 18-month roadworks
Drivers have been urged not to use the M5 unless they have to during a major 18-month roadworks scheme.
Motorists are facing a traffic nightmare from Easter when the speed limit between junctions one for West Bromwich and two for Oldbury is slashed to 30mph.
Those who regularly use the motorway are facing chaos until the end of 2018.
Highways England has insisted the work to replace waterproofing on the crumbling Oldbury viaduct is essential and cannot be put off any longer.
Bosses also stressed the job could not have been done overnight and that the 30mph speed limit, which is likely to leave thousands of vehicles crawling along the two-mile stretch, was necessary if slip roads were to be kept open.
Council bosses in Sandwell have raised concerns about the impact the roadworks scheme will have on businesses and surrounding roads.
Matthew Taylor, Highways England asset manager for Birmingham, said drivers were should avoid the motorway wherever possible.
He told the Express & Star: "This is going to have a major impact and we wouldn't be doing the scheme unless we absolutely had to.
"The waterproofing has come to the end of its life and has been down for 30 years.
"We are asking people who usually use the M5 to look at using alternative routes or public transport."
Traffic will continue to run in both directions for the duration of the works, but will be reduced to two narrow lanes running each way.
The 30mph speed limit has led to concerns of traffic moving at a snail's pace, but Mr Taylor said the move was necessary.
