M6 Junctions 4 to 5 Dynamic Hard Shoulder enhancements

We are upgrading dynamic hard shoulder motorways, starting with the central reservation barriers

Start date March 2022

End date TBC

Cost TBC

Latest updates

14 March 2022

Advance notice of road closures

Work to upgrade safety barriers along this busy section of motorway gets underway this month.

So our team can work safely, the following full road closures and lane closures are needed so we can install traffic management.

Northbound M6

Monday 14 March to Friday 18 March 2022
9pm – 6am: full road closure between junctions 4 and 6

Sunday 20 March 2022
9pm – 6am: full road closure between junctions 4 and 6

Monday 21 March and Tuesday 22 March 2022
9pm – 6am: lane 2 and 3 closures between junctions 4 and 6

Southbound M6

Friday 18 March 2022
9pm – 6am: hardshoulder, lane 1 and 2 closures between junctions 6 and 4

Monday 21 March 2022 to Friday 25 March 2022
9pm – 6am: full road closure between junctions 6 and 4

Sunday 27 March 2022
9pm – 6am: lane 2 and 3 closures between junctions 6 and 4

All diversion routes will be clearly signposted.

These closures may be subject to change due to poor weather or for operational reasons.

If you have any questions about our work, please contact us by calling: 0300 123 5000 or by emailing us at: DHSenhancements@nationalhighways.co.uk

More information about the Dynamic Hard Shoulder Enhancements programme can be found online at: https://nationalhighways.co.uk/DHSenhancements
02 March 2022

Work starts to upgrade barriers

Work to upgrade safety barriers along busy sections of motorway will get underway in March 2022.

The M6 between junction 4 at Coleshill and 5 for Castle Bromwich will have its steel central reservation barrier upgraded to concrete.

The work is the start of a series of safety enhancements we are bringing to dynamic hard shoulder motorways across the country.

See more updates

Project information

The barrier upgrade has been developed as part of our work to upgrade older Dynamic Hard Shoulder motorways to the latest safety standard.

As announced in the Government response to the Transport Committee recommendations, the conversion of DHS motorway to All Lane Running is being paused, while we consider alternative ways in which to operate the dynamic hard shoulder.

In the meantime we will be installing further safety measures for DHS motorways are in operation, including upgrading the central reservation barrier.

Work on the barrier upgrade is expected to be complete in Autumn 2022. Traffic restrictions will be lifted for the 2022 Birmingham Commonwealth Games.

Concrete barriers are even 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 also virtually maintenance free and will last twice as long as normal metal barriers, with far less need for closures for routine repairs.