Trouble ahead as Junction 3 widening spells delays on A435 for travellers - The Redditch Standard

Trouble ahead as Junction 3 widening spells delays on A435 for travellers

Redditch Editorial 10th May, 2019   0

COMMUTERS using the A435 were hit by long delays on Wednesday due to roadworks at Junction 3 of the M42.

Traffic was queuing as far back as Gorcott Hill by Winyates Green in the morning rush hour making some residents 90 minutes late for work.

One furious commuter said: “The roadworks were fine on Tuesday, no problem, but it was chaos on Wednesday.

“No signs all the way up the A435 until the island and there were queues from Gorcott Hill.”




Ironically the roadworks at Junction 3 are designed to ease congestion at peak times.

The aim is to install a dedicated lane from the M42 westbound to the A435 southbound in a bid to prevent traffic queuing back onto the motorway.


Other alterations include widening the sliproads and adding an extra lane to the roundabout itself.

The A435 to Junction 3 is the designated route for vehicles heading to and from the Redditch Eastern Gateway industrial development and as a result is expected to see a huge increase in traffic.

Full night closures from 8pm to 6am are in operation at Junction 3 until May 10 with further night closures planned as the work progresses.

The work is not expected to be completed until the end of the year.

Highways England senior project manager, Jessica Kenny, said: “We’re carrying out an essential upgrade of Junction 3 on the M42 to improve journeys for motorists.

“The widening work will be taking place on the roundabout and slip roads and we’re working hard to keep disruption to a minimum.

“For the next couple of days, we’d encourage motorists to allow some extra time for their journeys while people familiarise themselves with the roadworks and to check before they travel.”

There will be 50mph speed limits installed on the M42 itself and a 30mph speed limit on the sliproads and roundabout to protect the workforce.

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