M40/M42 interchange safety barrier upgrade

Enhancing safety on this busy gateway for the west Midlands.

Smart motorway upgrade cancelled

On 15 April 2023 the Government announced that plans for new smart motorways would be cancelled in recognition of the lack of public confidence felt by drivers and cost pressures.  This follows an announcement in January 2022 to pause the rollout of new all lane running smart motorways, yet to start construction.

The M40-M42 interchange upgrade is one of the schemes being cancelled. National Highways is continuing to invest in safe and reliable journeys at this location and is upgrading the central reservation barrier from steel to concrete.

The Government and National Highways continue to invest £900 million in further safety improvements on existing smart motorways, and to give motorists clear advice when using existing smart motorways.

For more information please visit: https://nationalhighways.co.uk/our-work/smart-motorways-evidence-stocktake/

Latest updates

01 December 2023

A further update on our programme of work – scheme completion

Our safety enhancement work to upgrade the central reservation barrier along the M40 and M42 near Birmingham will be complete before Christmas, several months earlier than originally planned.

Since February this year, our delivery partners at bmJV have replaced more than five miles of steel barrier with a safer, more efficient concrete barrier.

Concrete barriers are much stronger than metal ones and significantly reduce the risk of vehicles crossing over from one carriageway to another, improving safety and reducing the duration of incident-related congestion. They are virtually maintenance free and will last twice as long as normal metal barriers, with far less need for closures for routine repairs.

The early finish is down to a number of factors including the use of an innovative new precast concrete barrier which can be laid faster than other types of concrete barrier. It has a different foundation design that allows a quicker installation process and eliminates some of the time-consuming post-installation operations required for other barriers.

The team will now move on to carry out similar safety upgrades on the M42 between junctions 4 and 7 with some overnight closures needed for environmental surveys over the coming weeks. Work will begin in January 2024 with completion planned by autumn 2024. We’ll be providing updates via a dedicated scheme webpage shortly.

We’d like to thank local residents and motorists for their patience while this important work was carried out.

Upcoming weeknight (between 9pm and 6am) closures until 14 December 2023:

Date	Details	Closure & Diversion Route
1 December	M40 J15 - M42 J3a northbound	Closure of lanes 1 & 2
1 & 4 December	M42 J3a - M40 J15 southbound	Closure of lanes 1 & 2
5 December	M40 J16 - M42 J3a northbound	Closure of lanes 1 & 2 leading to full closure of M42 northbound J3a Diversion to M42 J3
5-6 December	M42 J3 - J3a northbound	Closure of lanes 1 & 2
7-8 December	M42 J4 - J3a southbound	Closure of lanes 1 & 2 leading to full closure of M42 southbound to M40 southbound link road Diversion via M42 J3
7-8 December	M42 J3 - J3a northbound	Closure of lanes 1 & 2 leading to closure of northbound link to M42 J4 Diversion via M40 southbound to J16 and return
7-8 December	M40 northbound to M42 northbound (J link)	Closure of hard shoulder
8-10 December	M40 northbound link to M42 southbound at J3a	Closure of lanes 3 and 2 leading to closure of M42 southbound link Diversion to M42 J4 and return
8-10 December	M42 northbound to M40 southbound at J3a	Closure of lane 3
10-11 December	M42 northbound J3 to J3a	Closure of lanes 3 and 2
	M40 northbound to M42 southbound at J3a	Closure of lanes 3 and 2
	M42 southbound J4 to J3	Closure of lane 3
11-12 December	M42 southbound J5 to J3a	Closure of lanes 1 and 2
11-12 December	M42 J4 southbound entry slip	Closure of lane 1 approach to M42 J4 entry slip Diversion to M42 J5 and return
12-13 December	M40 J16 northbound to M42 J3a	Closure of lanes 1 and 2
13-14 December	M40 J16 northbound to M42 J3a	Closure of lanes 3 and 2 switching to closure of lanes 1 and 2
13-14 December	M40 J16 northbound entry slip	Diversion via M42 J4

Please note: these closures may be amended due to poor weather or operational reasons.

13 November 2023

An update on our work – scheme completion

Our safety enhancement work to upgrade the central reservation barrier along the M40 and M42 near Birmingham will be complete this December, several months earlier than originally planned.

Since February this year, our delivery partners at bmJV have replaced more than five miles of steel barrier with a safer, more efficient concrete barrier.

The team will now move on to carry out similar safety upgrades on the M42 between junctions 4 and 7 with some overnight closures needed for environmental surveys over the coming weeks. Work will begin in January 2024 with completion planned in late summer 2024. We’ll be providing updates via a dedicated scheme webpage shortly.

We’d like to thank local residents and motorists for their patience while this important work was carried out.

The remaining upcoming overnight (between 9pm and 6am) closures until 8 December 2023 are as follows:

Date	Details	Closure and diversion Route
11-13 November 2023	M40 northbound at J3a	Closure of lanes 3 & 2 leading to full closure of M42 southbound link road Diversion via M42 J4
13 November 2023	M40 J3a - J15 southbound	Full closure Diversion via M42, A45, A46
13 November 2023	M42 J4 - J3a southbound	Closure of lanes 3 & 2
14 November 2023	M42 northbound at J3a	Closure of lanes 3 & 2 leading to full closure of M40 southbound link road Diversion via M42 J3
15 November 2023	M40 J3a – J16 southbound	Closure of lanes 1 & 2
	M40 southbound at J16	Full closure of J16 exit slip road Diversion via M40 J15 and M42 J4
	M42 J2 to J3a northbound	Closure of lanes 3 & 2
	M40 northbound at J3a	Closure of lanes 1 & 2 leading to full closure of M42 northbound link road Diversion via M42 J3
	M42 southbound at J3a	Closure of lanes 1 & 2 leading to full closure of M42 southbound to M40 southbound link road
16, 17 & 20 November 2023	M42 J2 - J3a northbound	Closure of lanes 3 & 2 leading to full closure of M42 J2 to J3a Diversion via A441, Parsons Hill, Bells Alane, A435, Wheelers Lane, A4040, B4146, A34 to M42 J4
16 November 2023	M42 J3a – J3 southbound	Closure of lanes 3 & 2
16 November 2023	M40 J16 – J3a northbound	Closure of lanes 1 & 2
17 - 19 November 2023	M40 northbound at J3a	Closure of lanes 3 & 2 leading to full closure of M42 southbound link road Diversion via M42 J4
20 - 22 November 2023	M40 J16 - J3a northbound	Closure of lanes 1 & 2
21 - 22 November 2023	M42 J2 - J3a northbound	Closure of lanes 1 & 2 leading to full closure of M42 J3 exit and slip roads Diversion via M42 J4 (exit) and J2 (entry)
23 - 24 November 2023	M42 J3 - M42 J3a northbound	Closure of lanes 1 & 2
23 November 2023	M42 J5 - J3a southbound	Closure of lanes 1 & 2
23 November 2023	M42 southbound at J4	Full closure of M42 J4 entry slip road Diversion via M42 J5
1 December 2023	M40 J15 - M42 J3a northbound	Closure of lanes 1 & 2
1 December 2023	M42 J3a - M40 J15 southbound	Closure of lanes 1 & 2
4 December 2023	M42 J3a - M40 J15 southbound	Closure of lanes 1 & 2
5 December 2023	M42 J3 – J3a northbound	Closure of lanes 1 & 2
5 December 2023	M40 J16 – M42 J3a northbound	Closure of lanes 1 & 2 leading to full closure of M42 northbound J3a Diversion to M42 J3
6 December 2023	M42 J3 – J3a northbound	Closure of lanes 1 & 2
7-8 December 2023	M42 J3a – J4 northbound	Closure of lanes 1 & 2
7-8 December 2023	M42 J4 - J3a southbound	Closure of lanes 1 & 2 leading to full closure of M42 southbound to M40 southbound link road

Please note: these closures may be amended due to poor weather or operational reasons.

26 October 2023

An update on our programme of work: November to December 2023

We’re still making excellent progress against the proposed spring 2024 completion date. We're now planning to have all traffic management removed by 17 November, with only overnight traffic management required until the planned end of the scheme this December.

We’re continuing to remove the traffic management – barriers, cones, construction equipment and some of the signage – from the network, and are carrying out other tasks such as relaying lane markings. To do this safely, for road users and our staff, we’ll need to temporarily close some lanes and carriageways.

Motorists are still advised to check before they travel because there will be a series of diversions to steer traffic away from the carriageway closures. These will take place at night, usually between 9pm and 6am, when traffic numbers are lower. Diversion routes will be clearly signposted and checked regularly.

Please keep checking this page as it will be updated with further closures and diversions as the scheme progresses. This is one of a number of highway schemes underway in the local area, so if you're planning a journey across the region, please check the webpages of our other schemes such as our M42 junction 6 upgrade, M6 junctions 4 to 10a improvements and HS2’s works.

Upcoming overnight (between 9pm and 6am) closures until 8 December 2023:

Date	Details	Closure and diversion Route
3 November	M40 J16 northbound	Lane 1 & 2 closure
	M42 southbound J4 to J3a	Lane 3 closure
	M42 J3 to J4 (including M42 J3 to M40 J16)	Northbound lane 1 closure
	M42 J4 northbound exit slip road	Full closure Diversion to J5 and return
	M42 J4 northbound entry slip road	Full closure Diversion to J3 and return
	M42 J3a southbound to M40 J16	Lane 1 closure
4 November 2023	M40 J3a - J15 southbound	Full closure Diversion via M42, A45, A46
4 November 2023	M40 J16 - J3a northbound	Lane 3 closure
5 November 2023	M40 J3a - J15 southbound	Full closure Diversion via M42, A45, A46
6 November 2023	M42 J3 - J3a northbound	Closure of lanes 1 & 2
6 November 2023	M40 northbound at J3a	Closure of lanes 1 & 2 leading to full closure of M42 northbound link road Diversion via M42 J3
7 November 2023	M42 J3 - J3a northbound	Closure of lanes 1 & 2
8 November 2023	M42 J3 - J3a northbound	Full closure Diversion via M42 J4, A34, B4146, A4040, Wheelers Lane, A435, Druids Lane, Bells Lane, Parsons Hill, A441 to M42 J2
8 November 2023	M42 southbound at J3a	Closure of lanes 3 & 2 leading to full closure of M42 southbound link road Diversion via M40 J16
8-12 November 2023	M42 northbound at J3a	Closure of lanes 3 & 2 leading to full closure of M40 southbound link road Diversion via M42 J4
9 November 2023	M40 northbound at J16	Full closure of M40 J16 entry slip road Diversion via A4300
10 November 2023	M40 northbound at J3a	Closure of lanes 3 & 2 leading to full closure of M40 southbound link road Diversion via M42 J4
11-13 November 2023	M40 northbound at J3a	Closure of lanes 3 & 2 leading to full closure of M42 southbound link road Diversion via M42 J4
13 November 2023	M40 J3a - J15 southbound	Full closure Diversion via M42, A45, A46
13 November 2023	M42 J4 - J3a southbound	Closure of lanes 3 & 2
14 November 2023	M42 northbound at J3a	Closure of lanes 3 & 2 leading to full closure of M40 southbound link road Diversion via M42 J3
15 November 2023	M40 J3a – J16 southbound	Closure of lanes 1 & 2
	M40 southbound at J16	Full closure of J16 exit slip road Diversion via M40 J15 and M42 J4
	M42 J2 to J3a northbound	Closure of lanes 3 & 2
	M40 northbound at J3a	Closure of lanes 1 & 2 leading to full closure of M42 northbound link road Diversion via M42 J3
	M42 southbound at J3a	Closure of lanes 1 & 2 leading to full closure of M42 southbound to M40 southbound link road
16, 17 & 20 November 2023	M42 J2 - J3a northbound	Closure of lanes 3 & 2 leading to full closure of M42 J2 to J3a Diversion via A441, Parsons Hill, Bells Alane, A435, Wheelers Lane, A4040, B4146, A34 to M42 J4
16 November 2023	M42 J3a – J3 southbound	Closure of lanes 3 & 2
16 November 2023	M40 J16 – J3a northbound	Closure of lanes 1 & 2
17 - 19 November 2023	M40 northbound at J3a	Closure of lanes 3 & 2 leading to full closure of M42 southbound link road Diversion via M42 J4
20 - 22 November 2023	M40 J16 - J3a northbound	Closure of lanes 1 & 2
21 - 22 November 2023	M42 J2 - J3a northbound	Closure of lanes 1 & 2 leading to full closure of M42 J3 exit and slip roads Diversion via M42 J4 (exit) and J2 (entry)
23 - 24 November 2023	M42 J3 - M42 J3a northbound	Closure of lanes 1 & 2
23 November 2023	M42 J5 - J3a southbound	Closure of lanes 1 & 2
23 November 2023	M42 southbound at J4	Full closure of M42 J4 entry slip road Diversion via M42 J5
1 December 2023	M40 J15 - M42 J3a northbound	Closure of lanes 1 & 2
1 December 2023	M42 J3a - M40 J15 southbound	Closure of lanes 1 & 2
4 December 2023	M42 J3a - M40 J15 southbound	Closure of lanes 1 & 2
5 December 2023	M42 J3 – J3a northbound	Closure of lanes 1 & 2
5 December 2023	M40 J16 – M42 J3a northbound	Closure of lanes 1 & 2 leading to full closure of M42 northbound J3a Diversion to M42 J3
6 December 2023	M42 J3 – J3a northbound	Closure of lanes 1 & 2
7-8 December 2023	M42 J3a – J4 northbound	Closure of lanes 1 & 2
7-8 December 2023	M42 J4 - J3a southbound	Closure of lanes 1 & 2 leading to full closure of M42 southbound to M40 southbound link road

21 September 2023

An update on our programme of work: September to October 2023

We’re making excellent progress against the proposed spring 2024 completion date when we schedule to have fully replaced the existing steel barrier with a stronger and more efficient concrete one. We’ve now reached the stage where we need to remove the traffic management – barriers, cones, construction equipment and some of the signage – from the network. To do this safely, for road users and our staff, we’ll need to temporarily close some lanes and carriageways. We'd previously expected these closures to last until early December but we're pleased to say they'll now end several weeks earlier than planned.

Upcoming weeknight (between 9pm and 6am) closures from 21 September to 28 October 2023:
** Indicate where closures will take place between 8pm and 6am.

Date	Details	Closure & Diversion Route
21-22 September 2023	M42 J3a to M40 J16 southbound	Closure of lanes 3 & 2 leading to full closure of M42 bowl at J3a Diversion to M42 J4
21-22 September 2023	M42 J3a to M40 J16 northbound	Closure of lanes 3 & 2 leading to full closure of M42 B Link at J3a Diversion to M40 J16
25-28 September 2023	M42 J3a to J5 northbound	Diversion via M40 J16, M42 J4, A435, Wheelers Lane, A4040, B4146, A34, A41 to M42 J5
29 September 2023	M42 J3a to M40 J16 northbound	Closure of lanes 3 & 2 leading to full closure of M42 bowl at J3a Diversion to M42 J4
29 September 2023	M42 J3a to J3 northbound	Closure of lanes 3 & 2 leading to full closure of M42 bowl at J3a Diversion to M42 J4
1-2 October 2023	M42 J3a to J5 northbound	Closure of lanes 1 & 2 leading to full closure of M42 J3 to J5 Diversion via M42 J3
3 October 2023	M42 J3a to J4 northbound	Closure of lanes 1 & 2 leading to full closure of M42 A Link at J3a Diversion via M40 J16
3 October 2023	M42 J3a to J4 northbound	Closure of lanes 1 & 2 leading to full closure of J4 entry and exit slip Diversion via M42 J5 (for entry) and M40 J16 (for exit)
4-6 October 2023	M42 J3a to M40 J16 southbound	Closure of lanes 3 & 2 leading to full closure of M42 bowl at J3a Diversion to M42 J4
4 October 2023	M42 J4 northbound	Full closure of M42 J4 northbound entry slip Diversion via M40 J16
9-13, 16 October 2023	M42 J5 to J3a southbound	Closure of lanes 3 &2 leading to full closure of M42 J5 to 3a southbound Diversion via M42 J5, A41, A4025, A4102, A4025, A34, B4146, A4040, Wheelers Lane, A435 to J3
17 October 2023	M42 J4 southbound	Closure of lanes 1 & 2 leading to full closure of J4 entry and exit slip Diversion via M42 J5 (for entry) and M40 J16 (for exit)
17-18 October 2023	M42 J3 northbound	Closure of lanes 1 & 2 full closure of J3 exit and entry slip Diversion via M42 J2 (for exit) and M40 J16 (for entry)
18-19 October 2023	M42 J3a to M40 J16 southbound	Closure of lanes 3 & 2 leading to full closure of M42 bowl at J3a Diversion to M42 J4
20 October 2023	M42 J4 southbound	Full closure of M42 J4 entry slip Diversion via M42 J5
21-23 October 2023	M42 J3a to J2 southbound	Closure of lanes 3 & 2 leading to full closure of M42 J3a to J2 Diversion via M42 J4, A34, B4146, A4040, Wheelers Lane, A435, Druids Lane, Bells Lane, Parsons Hill, Wharf Road, A441 to M42 J2
24 October 2023	M42 J3a to J3 southbound	Closure of lanes 3 & 2 leading to full closure of M42 J3a to J3 Diversion via M42 J4, A34, B4146, A4040, Wheelers Lane, A435 to M42 J3
24 October 2023	M42 southbound B Link at J3a	Closure of lanes 1 & 2 leading to full closure of M42 B Link at J3a Diversion via M40 J16
25-28 October 2023	M40 northbound J15 to M42 J3a	Closure of lanes 3 & 2 leading to full closure of M40 J15 to M42 J3a Diversion via A46, A45 to M42 J6

Please note: these closures may be amended due to poor weather or operational reasons.

18 July 2023

Please check before you travel: work continues on central reservation upgrade

We’re continuing to deliver important safety upgrades to the central reserve barriers on the M40/M42 Interchange. This work includes replacing the existing steel barrier with a stronger and more efficient concrete barrier. This work, which is set to be completed by spring 2024, is being carried out on the M42 between junctions 3 and 4, and M42 junction 3a to M40 junction 16.

For the safety of all road users and our construction team, a number of traffic management measures have been put in place. We’ve closed the outer lane, narrowed the existing lanes and are using the hard shoulder as a temporary running lane to maintain three running lanes in each direction. To provide additional safety, all lanes are covered by CCTV and will operate at 50mph. We also have a free recovery service in place for vehicles that have broken down within our roadworks.

We’re sorry for the disruption this work may cause and encourage drivers to plan ahead and allow extra time when travelling. Please note that these closures are subject to change at short notice due to unforeseen circumstances or poor weather conditions. Please check this webpage and our Twitter feed (@HighwaysWMIDS) for the latest information before you travel.

We’ve been working closely with councils in Birmingham, Solihull, Warwickshire and Worcestershire to organise diversion routes to steer motorists away from our roadworks and reduce traffic on residential roads. All diversion routes are clearly signposted and checked regularly by our dedicated team of traffic safety officers.

It's important to note that there are a number of other highway schemes in the local area including those at M42 Junction 6, between M6 Junctions 4 to 10a, and HS2’s works so please check the respective webpages to inform your travel plans.

Upcoming overnight closures

In addition to the traffic management measures outlined above, a number of full carriageway and lane closures will also be required to keep everyone safe while we work on the barriers. To minimise disruption, these closures will take place at night when the road is typically at its quietest. Please see the table below for more information.

This week we'll be installing new works accesses into existing traffic management on the M40 southbound in preparation for resurfacing works. In order to do this safely, a full overnight closure of a small section of the M40 is required.

The following lane and road closures will be in place between 9pm and 6am each night on the following dates:

Date	Closures	Diversion route
8 August 2023	M40 southbound – full closure between the M40/M42 link roads.	Following diversion signs, continue on the M42 and exit at J4, then join the M42 southbound to re-join the M40 southbound (see image below)

Please note: further closures and diversions will be announced as this scheme progresses.

24 May 2023

Please check before you travel: work continues on central reservation upgrade

We’re continuing to deliver important safety upgrades on the central reserve barriers on the M40/M42 Interchange, which includes replacing the existing steel one with a stronger and more efficient concrete barrier. This work - which is set to be completed by spring 2024 - is being carried out on the M42 between junctions 3 and 3a, and M42 junction 3a to M40 junction 16.

For the safety of all road users and our construction team, a number of traffic management measures are required. We’ll be closing the outer lane, narrowing the existing lanes and using the existing hard shoulder as a temporary running lane to maintain three running lanes in each direction. To offer additional safety and assurance, those lanes are covered by CCTV and will operate at 50mph. We’ll also have a free recovery service in place for vehicles that have broken down within our roadworks.

We’re sorry for the disruption this work may cause to your journey and encourage drivers to plan ahead and allow extra time when travelling. Please note that these closures are subject to change at short notice due to unforeseen circumstances or poor weather conditions. Please check this webpage and our Twitter feed (@HighwaysWMIDS) for the latest information before you travel.

We’ve been working closely with councils in Birmingham, Solihull, Warwickshire and Worcestershire to organise diversion routes to steer motorists away from our closures and to reduce traffic on residential roads. All diversion routes are clearly signposted and checked regularly by our dedicated team of traffic safety officers.

It is important to note that there are a number of other highway schemes in the local area including those at M42 Junction 6, between M6 Junctions 4 to 10a, and HS2’s works so please check the respective webpages to inform your travel.

Upcoming overnight closures

In addition to the measures outlined above, a number of full carriageway and lane closures will also be required. To minimise disruption, these closures will take place at night when the road is typically at its quietest. Please see the table below for more information.

The following lane and road closures will be in place between 9pm and 6am each night on the following dates:

Date	Closures	Diversion route
30 May 2023	Lanes 2 and 3 of the M42 J4 southbound & M42 J3 northbound leading to full carriageway closure of M40 southbound from M42 J3a to M40 J15	No diversion for lane closures until carriageway is closed, then M42 southbound to J3, M42 northbound to J6, A45, A46 & M40 southbound J15
31 May 2023	Lanes 2 and 3 of M42 J3a southbound & M40 J16 northbound leading to full carriageway closure of M42 southbound from M42 J3a to J3	No diversion for lane closures until carriageway is closed, then M42 northbound, A34, B4146, A4040, Wheelers Lane, A435 to M42 J3
1 Jun 2023	Lanes 2 and 3 of M40 northbound J14 leading full carriageway closure of M40 northbound from J15 to M42 J3a	No diversion for lane closures until carriageway is closed, then either A46, A45 & M42 J6 southbound (primary diversion) or A3400 to M42 J4 southbound (local diversion from Henley in Arden)

Please note: further closures and diversions will be announced as this scheme progresses.

17 March 2023

Please check before you travel: safety upgrade update

We continue to urge motorists to check before they travel as we continue to work on the important safety upgrade of the central barrier, replacing the existing steel one with a stronger and more efficient concrete barrier, between the M42 junction 3 and 3a, and M42 junction 3a to M40 junction 16. The upgrade is set to be completed by Spring 2024.

To carry out this work as safely as possible for road users and our construction team, a number of measures are required. We need to close the outer lane, narrow the existing lanes and utilise the existing hard shoulder, as a temporary running lane, to maintain three running lanes in each direction. To offer additional safety and assurance, those lanes are covered by CCTV, operate at 50mph and have a free recovery service for vehicles that have broken down.

Following the recent adverse weather, the existing hard shoulder has suffered damage. Additional full carriageway closures will be required to resurface parts of the hard shoulder to ensure a smooth running lane is maintained. The full carriageway closures will take place at night, between 9pm and 6am, when traffic numbers are lower.

We have undergone extensive consultations with councils in Birmingham, Solihull, Warwickshire and Worcestershire to organise diversion routes to steer motorists away from those closures. These include primary diversions to reduce traffic on residential roads. All diversion routes are clearly signposted and checked regularly by our dedicated team of traffic safety officers.

Scheme updates are widely available: on this page, also our dedicated social media pages on Facebook & Twitter, also via our Customer Contact Centre, so please check them before you travel.

Further closures and diversions will be announced as the scheme progresses.

Upcoming weeknight (between 9pm and 6am) closures from 16 March to 19 April 2023:

Date	Details	Diversions via
18 & 19 March 2023	M42 southbound J3a to J3	M42 NB, A34, B4146, A4040, Wheelers Lane, A435 to M42 J3
21 to 24 March 2023	M42 J3a northbound to J5	M40 southbound to J16 and back, M42 northbound to J3, A435, Wheelers Lane, A4040, B4146, A34, A41 to M42 J5
27 to 28 March 2023	M42 J3a northbound to J5	M40 southbound to J16 and back, M42 northbound to J3, A435, Wheelers Lane, A4040, B4146, A34, A41 to M42 J5
29 to 31 March 2023	M42 J5 southbound to J3a	A41 off J5, A34, B4146, A4040, Wheelers Lane, A435, M42 J3 & M42 northbound Or A41, A34, B4146, A4040, Wheelers Lane, A435, M42 J3 & M42 southbound to M40
2 April 2023	M42 J5 southbound to J3a	A41 off J5 A34, B4146, A4040, Wheelers Lane, A435, M42 J3 & M42 northbound Or A41, A34, B4146, A4040, Wheelers Lane, A435, M42 J3 & M42 southbound to M40
3 to 5 April 2023	M42 J4 southbound to J3a	A34 off J4, B4146, A4040, Wheelers Lane, A435, M42 J3 and M42 northbound Or A34 off J4, B4146, A4040, Wheelers Lane, A435, M42 J3 and M42 southbound to M40
11 to 14 April 2023	M40 southbound J3a to M40 J15	M42 SB to J3, M42 NB to J6, A45, A46 & M40 SB J15
17 to 19 April	M40 southbound J3a to M40 J15	M42 SB to J3, M42 NB to J6, A45, A46 & M40 SB J15

Please note: these closures may be amended due to poor weather or operational reasons.

11 February 2022
A Further Update on our Advanced Works

Our advanced works, which started in September, will continue into the Spring and include ongoing vegetation clearance as well as the planned upgrade to the central reservation.

So we can deliver this work safely, we need to temporarily close some lanes while we move our traffic management equipment.

We’ll continue to work at night time, when the road is at its quietest, where we can. However as some of this work will be noisy, to minimise disruption we’ll carry out work during the daytime too. To keep our workforce and motorists safe, we’ll close lanes in 4-kilometre (2.4 miles) sections while we work. Signage will remain in place to inform and remind motorists of upcoming road closures.

Schedule of hard shoulder and lane closures from 14 February to 27 May 2022:
- M42 junction 3a northbound / southbound, hard shoulder and lanes 1 and 2, between 14 February and 11 March 2022
- M42 junction 3a – 4 northbound, lanes 2 and 3, between 4 and 15 April 2022
- M42 junction 3 northbound, hard shoulder and lanes 1 and 2, between 11 and 15 April 2022
- M42 junction 3 southbound, hard shoulder and lanes 1 and 2, between 18 April and 27 May 2022
Lane closures will be in place on weeknights, between 9pm and 6am.

Please note our planned road closures may be cancelled due to poor weather, or for operational reasons.

See more updates

Project information

Although the M40/M42 interchange all lane running upgrade has been cancelled, we'll be carrying out other safety enhancement work including:

upgrading the central reservation barrier with a new reinforced concrete barrier to provide better safety
installing new drainage infrastructure in the central reservation
replacing central reservation lighting where applicable

Concrete barriers significantly reduce the risk of vehicles crossing over from one carriageway to another.

They improve safety by reducing the duration of incident-related congestion. As they are virtually maintenance-free, lasting twice as long as the current ones, future requirements for closures for routine repairs will be greatly reduced.

They are part of National Highways’ ongoing work to improve safety, maintain traffic flow and offer road user assurance.

M40 / M42 Interchange Statutory Instrument Consultation (variable mandatory speed limits) - 23 January 2020 to 20 February