Midlands motorway bridge suddenly closed to all traffic over safety and structural concerns

A major bridge close to Birmingham Airport and the NEC has been closed to all traffic after engineers discovered significant structural deterioration.

National Highways has shut the Bickenhill Bridge at the M42 Junction 6 (Bickenhill Interchange) in Solihull, while specialist investigations continue into the condition of the structure.

The bridge forms part of the roundabout linking the M42 with the A45 and provides a key route for motorists travelling to Birmingham Airport, the NEC, Birmingham Business Park and surrounding areas.

The closure follows months of inspections, surveys and monitoring after deterioration was first identified during routine checks in November 2025.

Previously, the bridge had been operating with a lane one closure on the roundabout and a 7.5-tonne weight restriction for vehicles using the crossing. Those restrictions affected motorists connecting to the A45 near the NEC and Birmingham Airport.

However, National Highways said repeated breaches of the weight limit, coupled with the findings of ongoing structural assessments, have now led to the bridge being closed completely as a precaution to protect the structure.

The M42 remains open in both directions beneath the bridge, but traffic can no longer cross it.

Motorists are being urged to follow signed diversion routes rather than relying on sat-navs, with congestion expected at peak times.

National Highways said engineers will continue carrying out detailed inspections and daily monitoring to establish the full extent of the deterioration and determine the most appropriate repair solution.

Restrictions will remain in place until further notice, with no timetable yet announced for reopening the bridge.

The closure is expected to impact journeys to some of the West Midlands' busiest destinations, including Birmingham Airport, the NEC, Birmingham Business Park and Jaguar Land Rover.

National Highways said it is working closely with those organisations to minimise disruption for visitors, commuters and businesses.

Heavy abnormal loads and vehicles weighing more than 44 tonnes are being advised to seek route approval from National Highways and West Midlands Police before travelling through the area.

National Highways stressed the bridge was not part of the recently completed M42 Junction 6 improvement scheme, which included the construction of the new Junction 5A and A4545 link road.

It said the deterioration was identified during routine inspections and, although known at the time of the wider improvement project, repairs to the bridge were outside the scope of those works.

The agency added that the new road improvements will help provide resilience for the network while plans for repairing the bridge are developed.

The exact nature and scope of any repair work has yet to be determined and will depend on the outcome of the ongoing specialist surveys and engineering assessments. National Highways said it will provide further updates as the investigation progresses.