M42 junction 6

We are making safety and capacity improvements to this important strategic route to support economic growth and planned development in the region.

Start date Started

End date 2024-25

Cost £282 million

The scheme - once complete - will alleviate heavy traffic at M42 junction 6 near Solihull.

Latest updates

12 January 2021

Virtual public information events - January 2021

In the coming weeks and months, you’ll start to see more activity taking place in the area as we begin our main construction activities.

To make sure we can keep you updated on progress, we’re going to be holding three virtual public information events later this month (January).

Safety is our top imperative and we are following government guidance closely due to COVID 19.

While we cannot meet people in person, we’re utilising the online platform of Microsoft Live Events where we can speak to you and update you on our progress.

Each session will feature an online presentation on screen, like a traditional public information event, providing details on the construction timeline, roadworks planning and closure details along with other topics like community engagement.

We will also provide a question and answer forum to ensure you have all the information that matters most to you as work starts to increase in the area.

To take part, simply click on the link for the event you wish to join on the day and time shown and you will be electronically taken through to the event.

Public information event dates

Wednesday 20 January 6-8 pm

Thursday 21 January 12-2 pm

Saturday 23 January 10-12 noon

For those without internet access, we’ll also be running a service via telephone where you can leave a message for us and someone from the project team will call you back during daytime hours. This will be running from 9am on Wednesday 20 January through to 5pm on Monday 25 January. Please call 08081964502 and leave your contact details where someone will be in touch.

If you have any queries about the scheme in general, please do not hesitate to contact us by emailing M42Junction6@highwaysengland.co.uk or calling 0300 123 5000.
02 December 2020
Information events in January

As we enter 2021, you’ll start to see more activity taking place in the area as we begin our main construction activities.

To make sure we can keep you updated on progress, we’re going to be holding three virtual public information events in January next year.

Safety is our top imperative and we are following government guidance closely due to COVID 19.

While we cannot meet people in person, we’re utilising the online platform of Microsoft Live Events where we can speak to you and update you on our progress.

The events on the 20 and 23 January 2021 will be for local residents and stakeholders while the event on the 21 January is for businesses and organisations in the area.

Timings for these events will be:
- Wednesday 20 January 2021 - 6pm to 8pm
- Thursday 21 January 2021 - 12 noon to 2pm
- Saturday 23 January 2021 - 10am to 12 noon
Each session will feature an online presentation on screen, like a traditional public information event, providing details on the construction timeline, roadworks planning and closure details along with other topics like community engagement.

We will also provide a question and answer forum to ensure you have all the information that matters most to you.

We’ve also published our first scheme newsletter. We’re going to be sending this out electronically in the future so if you would like to receive electronic versions of this and future leaflets, please email: M42Junction6@highwaysengland.co.uk or call: 0300 123 5000.
21 August 2020

Scheme running to schedule

We’re working hard to deliver this vital upgrade of the junction and we’re committed to opening this scheme to traffic in 2024 within our original timeframe, which is what we have always been working towards. Once this scheme is complete, it will support economic growth and alleviate congestion by making journeys smoother for motorists.
22 May 2020

Development consent order - granted on 21 May 2020

The M42 Junction 6 Development Consent Order (DCO) on 21 May 2020 was granted consent by the Secretary of State.

This is great news for this scheme near Solihull as it means we can start to make safety and capacity improvements to this important strategic route which, once complete, will support economic growth and planned development in the region.

Further details on the: Order (DCO as Made by the Secretary of State); Secretary of State Decision Letter; Recommendation Report; and Notification of decision letter; can be found on the Planning Inspectorate website for the scheme.
02 March 2020
Construction to start later this year

We’ll be starting main construction on this scheme later this year. We’ve already carried out some preliminary work earlier this year in readiness of the Development Consent Order being granted.

We have successfully completed demolition of Heath End House on the B4438 Catherine-de-Barnes Lane (Bickenhill, Solihull) and carried out vegetation clearance in Bickenhill, beside the A45 Coventry Road and near Haven Caravan Park. We are continuing with the planned activities and in the coming weeks we will be working on:
- near to Haven Caravan Park on the B4438 Catherine-de-Barnes Lane (Bickenhill, Solihull)
- on the B4438 Catherine-de-Barnes Lane (Bickenhill, Solihull) carrying out investigation and survey work
- along the A45 Coventry Road carrying out investigation and survey works
- undertaking various ecology surveys and the establishment of baseline noise levels in areas where future construction work is planned

See more updates

Project information

Currently, congestion and journey reliability issues are a significant constraint to future investment and economic growth. The junction has almost reached capacity, causing severe congestion and delays across the network. Junction 6 does not have sufficient capacity to accommodate predicted traffic growth beyond 2019 – even without the inclusion of HS2 – if we do not act.

We will construct a new 2.4km dual carriageway link road – aligned to the west of Bickenhill – between the A45 Clock Interchange. We’ll also build a new junction 5A on the M42 motorway approximately 1.8km south of the existing M42 Junction 6 (Solihull).

We’ll also be making journeys smoother and more reliable by building a new junction 5A on the M42 motorway which is located approximately 1.8km south of the existing M42 Junction 6 (Solihull).

And two new roundabouts will also be installed north of B4102 Solihull Road that will be positioned either side of the M42 motorway. Pedestrians will also benefit from the scheme with a new overbridge being put in place above the A45 near to the Arden Hotel.

Once complete motorists will benefit from smoother journeys and the work will support economic growth.

The objectives of the scheme are to:

ensure the safe and reliable operation of the road network
increase the capacity at junction 6, reducing congestion
improve access to key businesses and locations such as Birmingham Airport and support economic growth in the area
improve access for cyclists, walkers and other vulnerable users of the network

Further consultation - September 2018

Statutory public consultation - January 2018

Public consultation - December 2016