THREE options to upgrade junction 6 of the M42 (A45) are being put to drivers, business owners and residents as consultation gets under way this week.
Highways England is proposing changes to improve the capacity of the junction to accommodate increasing traffic demand and to support access to Birmingham Airport and the NEC, as well as prepare for the new HS2 station.
The seven-week consultation runs from this Friday (December 9) until January 27, 2017 with three options proposed. They are:
Option 1 – Link to the west of Bickenhill. This would provide a new 2.4km dual carriageway link between the Clock Interchange and a junction allowing north and south access to the M42 north of Solihull Road.
Option 2 – Link to the east of Bickenhill. This would provide a new 2.3km dual carriageway link between the Clock Interchange and a junction allowing north and south access to the M42 north of Solihull Road.
Option 3 – Link to the east of Bickenhill. This would provide a new 1.6km dual carriageway link between the Clock Interchange and a south facing junction on the M42 north of Shadowbrook Lane.
There are also plans to improve traffic flow at the roundabout by providing dedicated left turn links at the NEC, National Motorcycle Museum and north east area of the roundabout.
People attending the consultation events will be able to see detailed plans of the proposals, find out more about the scheme and ask questions of the project team.
The events take place as follows:
Friday, December 9 – 2-8pm. The Arden Hotel, Coventry Road, Solihull, B92 OEH.
Saturday, December 10 – 10am-4pm. Catherine-de-Barnes Village Hall, Hampton Lane, B91 2TJ.
Monday, December 12 – 10am-6pm. Fentham Hall, Marsh Lane, Hampton-in- Arden, B92 0AH.
Wednesday, January 4 – 10am-5pm. The Core, Touchwood, Solihull, B91 3RG.
Saturday, January 14 – 9am-6pm. The NEC, North Avenue, Birmingham, B40 1NT. (between atrium entrances 2 and 3)
There will also be a web chat on Wednesday, January 18 from 11am-2pm via http://www.highways.gov.uk/m42-j6
A further exhibition stand will be available for viewing within the Ladies Kennel Association Show at the NEC on December 10-11.
Details of the proposed options and a questionnaire to obtain people’s views will be available on the Highways England website from December 9.
