Drivers have been warned to expect hour-long delays this morning on a major motorway due to a police led incident which has caused serious congestion in the West Midlands.
The incident has caused the M42 in the West Midlands to be closed in both directions between J4 (Shirley) and J5 (Solihull) while police attend the scene.
National Highways has warned of delays in both directions, as well as approximately three miles of congestion in both directions, northbound back to the M40 and southbound back to the A45, near Birmingham Airport.
Normal traffic conditions are expected to return between 9:15am and 9:30am later this morning, with the agency issuing a diversion route to help drivers.
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Drivers have been warned of hour-long delays this morning
NATIONAL HIGHWAYS
West Midlands Police told GB News: "We've been called to the M42 following concerns for the welfare of a man. The motorway is currently closed between junctions 4 and 5 at Solihull, as we seek to safely resolve the situation."
For northbound road users, they have been urged to follow the solid diamond diversion symbol on road signs. The route advises drivers to exit the M42 northbound at J4 and turn left (first exit), onto A34 northbound.
From here, drivers should continue on A34 northbound to the A34/B4025 roundabout junction.
At the A34/B4025 roundabout junction, drivers need to turn right (fifth exit) onto B4025 Eastbound and continue on B4025 eastbound to the B4025/B4102 roundabout junction.
The motorway has been shut in both directions due to the police incident
NATIONAL HIGHWAYS
At the B4025/B4102 roundabout junction, drivers should turn left (first exit) onto B4102 Northbound.
Continue on B4102, signed (A41) southbound, to B4102/B4025 roundabout junction. At the B4102/B425 roundabout junction, turn right (third exit) onto B4102, signed (A41).
Drivers should then continue on B4102, signed(A41) southbound, to the B4102/B4025 junction.
At the B4102/B4025 junction, drivers need to continue straight onto B4025, signed (A41) southbound. Continue on B4025, signed (A41) southbound, to B4025/A41 roundabout junction.
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At the B4025/A41 roundabout junction, drivers need to turn left (first exit) onto the A41 southbound and continue on A41 southbound to M42, J5 roundabout.
For southbound road users, National Highways has advised them to follow the hollow square diversion symbol on the road sign.
The route urges drivers to follow the diversion for northbound traffic, but in reverse order
National Highways warned that if this closure impacts the planned route, "please allow extra journey time and plan ahead, you may wish to re-route or even delay your journey".
The road is expected to be closed until roughly 9am
NATIONAL HIGHWAYS
Updating drivers on social media platform X, the agency said: "There are delays in excess of one hour on the M42 in both directions due to the ongoing West Midlands Police led incident.
"The road is closed between J4 Shirley and J5 Solihull. Southbound congestion is back to the M6. Allow extra time if travelling to Birmingham Airport."
Responding to drivers stuck in traffic, the agency warned that the road remains closed in both directions, with them having no “ETA for the incident to be resolved”.