M42 weekend closures near airport postponed because of storms

Weekend closures of the M42 near Birmingham Airport have been called off because of the high winds forecast as Storm Boelo follows Storm Austen across the UK.

The HS2-related works had been due to shut stretches of the motorway from 9pm on Friday 23 October until 5am on Monday 26 October. They have now been moved to the following weekend.

What was planned

The northbound carriageway was due to close between junctions 6 and 9, and the southbound carriageway between junctions 9 and 7. Drivers heading for Birmingham Airport and the NEC at junction 6 had been warned to plan ahead for disruption.

A spokesman for HS2 said: "Due to Storm Austen and the predicted high winds, the planned M42 full carriageway closures on 23 to 26 October have been rescheduled to 30 October to 2 November 2026."

"The M42 junction 7 to northbound M6 link closure will go ahead as planned. A fully signed diversion route will be in place throughout the full weekend closure."

Why the works need full closures

HS2 is building the new railway across the M42 and the surrounding roads near Birmingham Airport and the NEC, close to the site of its new Interchange station. Major construction over a live motorway often requires full closures for safety, and the work was postponed with gusts of up to 80mph forecast in parts of the country this weekend.

What it means for drivers

This weekend, the motorway between junctions 6 and 9 should remain open in both directions, but drivers using the link from junction 7 to the northbound M6 will still need to follow the signed diversion.

Anyone planning to travel to the airport, the NEC or Resorts World over the weekend of 30 October to 2 November, which falls during the half-term holiday, is advised to allow extra time and check the latest information before setting out. Drivers can check National Highways' website and travel apps for up-to-date details of closures and diversions.

The M42 is one of the busiest motorways in the Midlands, linking the M5 and M40 to the south-west of Birmingham with the M6 and the routes towards the East Midlands, and closures on the stretch around the airport can cause long delays on surrounding roads, including the A45 and roads through Solihull and Coleshill.

Drivers are also being urged to take care on the roads this weekend generally, with heavy rain and strong winds expected as Storm Boelo moves across the UK. High-sided vehicles, caravans and motorcyclists are particularly vulnerable in strong crosswinds.