M5 roadworks: Traffic warning as new details of 18-month scheme revealed
Drivers are facing traffic chaos on the M5 with major restrictions about to come in as part of an 18-month long roadworks scheme.
From the end of this month, northbound and southbound traffic will be filtered in two lanes onto one side of the carriageway between junctions one and two for West Bromwich and Oldbury – with vehicles crawling at 30mph.
It has also been revealed that traffic will be cut to two lanes heading northbound from junction three at Halesowen to limit the amount of vehicles approaching the roadworks zone and avoid a bottleneck.
The scheme to repair to Oldbury viaduct started at Easter, but so far drivers have faced minimal disruption, with the speed limit cut to 40mph but all lanes still open.
Sandwell Council leader Steve Eling has warned of chaos on the M5 in the coming months but roads bosses insist the measures are necessary for safety reasons.
Motorists have been warned to prepare for the changes, which are expected to cause significant delays, and consider taking alternative routes.
Slip roads will remain open throughout the works.
Highways England senior project manager, Zbigniew Twarowski, said: "This is essential work although we appreciate it will also be frustrating for both motorists and residents.
"We’re doing everything possible to plan and manage the roadworks in order to keep traffic moving, minimise disruption and maximise safety.
"Drivers are urged to plan journeys in advance, allow extra time and consider alternative modes of transport, car sharing or working from home where possible."
The work on the M5 will have knock-on effects elsewhere on the Midlands motorway network, including at the link between the M5 and M42, south of Birmingham, which will be reduced to one lane.
Once work is complete on one side of the carriageway, the two lanes of traffic will then be switched to the opposite side.
The project to repair the crumbling Oldbury viaduct is due to last until the end of 2018.
The next stage of the job starts just weeks before the new football season and Albion fans have been warned to take M5 delays into consideration when travelling to The Hawthorns.
