Delays for motorists after West Midlands motorway crash

Motorists driving into the region were left facing delays and disruption after a collision left a motorway carriageway closed.

National Highways West Midlands said traffic on the M42 northbound had been closed between Junction 1 for Lickey End and Junction 2 for Alvechurch just after 1.40pm after a collision, with three miles of congestion and over an hour of delays.

A spokesman for National Highways West Midlands said at 1.43pm: “Traffic has been stopped on the Junction 1 for Lickey End and Junction 2 following a collision.

“All emergency services are on scene.

“Current delays of 70 minutes and 3 miles of congestion on the approach.”

A later update at 2.04pm said that while the carriageway remained closed to new traffic, traffic caught within the closure areas was being released in the third lane.

A spokesman for National Highways West Midlands said: “The M42 northbound from M5 Junction 4A to M42 Junction 2 is now closed following a collision.

“Emergency services remain on scene.

“Traffic caught within the closure is currently being let past the scene in lane three.

“Delays of 40 mins and three miles of congestion on the approach.”

The latest update at 2.39pm said that one lane had remained closed, but traffic was beginning to move.

The update read: “On the M42 northbound from M5 Junction 4A to M42 Junction 2, lane one of three remains closed following a collision.

“Recovery has been arranged by the police and is enroute.

“Current delays of 10 mins and 1 mile of congestion on the approach.”

A final update at 3.28pm said the work had been completed and the motorway was fully reopened.

The update read: “On the M42 northbound from M5 Junction 4A to M42 Junction 2, all lanes have reopened.

“Recovery is complete and no delays on approach.”

West Midlands Police, West Midlands Ambulance Service and Hereford and Worcester Fire Service have been contacted for a comment.