M42 junction 4-7 safety barrier upgrade

Enhancing safety on this vital West Midlands route.

Start date January 2024

End date Autumn 2024

Cost TBC

Latest updates

03 October 2024

Improvements complete

Our work to upgrade the M42 between junctions 4 and 7 is now complete.

We’ve replaced the existing steel central reservation barrier with a safer and more durable concrete one between junctions 4 and 5. We’ve also installed additional CCTV cameras and signage between junctions 4 and 6.

We minimised disruption as far as possible without compromising the safety of road users and the workforce but recognise some disruption was unavoidable. Thank you for your patience while we made these improvements.

You may see some of our crews on the network overnight for a short period while we rectify some longstanding drainage issues that were not part of the original project scope.

11 September 2024

Work continues during September

We’re delivering safety upgrades to the central reserve barriers on the M42. Our work includes replacing the existing steel barrier with a stronger and more efficient concrete one, as well as installing new CCTV and roadside signage. We're on schedule to complete the scheme this autumn.

Work began in early 2024 with some closures in place to allow for the installation of traffic management, to ensure the safety of all road users and our team while construction is underway. To offer additional safety and assurance, those lanes are covered by CCTV and operate at 50mph. There's also a free recovery service in place for vehicles that break down within our roadworks.

To continue our work, we require further closures, as shown below.

Upcoming night time (between 9pm and 6am) closures

Date	Details	Closure & Diversion Route
16 – 17 & 25 – 26 September 2024	M42 southbound junction 6 – 5	Lane closures
18 – 19 September 2024	M42 northbound junction 5 – 6	Lane closures
23 – 24 September 2024	M42 southbound junction 5 – 4	Lane closures
25 – 26 September 2024	M42 northbound junction 4 – 5	Lane closures leading to full closure of M42 northbound junction 4 entry slip road Diversion to M40 junction 16 and return
27 September 2024	M42 northbound junction 4 – 5	Lane closures leading to full closure between M42 northbound junction 4 entry and exit slip road Diversion via the off and on slip roads

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

There are other schemes underway in the local area, so please check the webpages relating to your travel, allow extra time for your journey travel and of course, pay attention to signage on the highway.

28 June 2024

What we're doing through summer

We’re continuing to upgrades the M42 central reserve barriers.

We're replacing existing steel barriers with stronger, more efficient concrete ones.

We're also installing new CCTV and road signs. This work – set to be complete this autumn – is being carried out on the M42 between junctions 4 and 7.

From time to time, we'll need to close lanes as we work. Please remember that closure details can change at short notice. For the most up-to-date information, please visit our daily closures page.

There is a 50mph speed limit through our works, covered by CCTV

We operate a free recovery service for vehicles that have broken down within our roadworks.
20 December 2023

Essential safety upgrades in 2024

We’re continuing to deliver important safety upgrades on the central reserve barriers on the M42 which includes replacing the existing steel one with a stronger and more efficient concrete barrier, as well as installing new CCTV and roadside signage. This work – which is set to be complete by autumn 2024 – is being carried out on the M42 between junctions 4 and 7.

Work will begin in early 2024.

See more updates

Project information

We'll be installing a stronger, safer concrete barrier on the central reserve

We'll be carrying out 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
installing new CCTV and signage in the motorway verge

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 our ongoing work to improve safety, maintain traffic flow and offer road user assurance.