Progress report

We have completed approximately 60% of the new cabling infrastructure in the verge. This cabling will support the new technology installed as part of the upgrade to a smart motorway and power the road lighting.

In total so far, we have:

• installed 21km of new drainage
• installed 3,200 metres of environmental barrier
• completed the removal of the existing gantries
• Installed 32 new gantries

Due to the layout of our working zone, there is currently no place for motorists to safely stop or leave the motorway other than the slip roads. Therefore we're offering a free recovery service for road users who break down within our roadworks.

Always try to exit the motorway immediately if your vehicle is damaged or experiences difficulties. If that’s not possible and you stop in the nearside lane (lane 1) and feel you are able to exit safely with any occupants, consider exiting your vehicle via the nearside (left hand) door, and wait behind the temporary safety barriers if it's safe to do so.

If it's not possible to get out of your vehicle safely, or there's no other place of relative safety to wait then you should stay in your vehicle with your seat belt on and dial ‘999’ if you have access to a working mobile phone.

In all cases, switch on your hazard warning lights.

View our latest progress in the image gallery.

M6 junctions 2 to 4 smart motorway diversion routes

When full road closures are needed to safely carry out works, we will put in place three clearly signed diversion routes:

What's next?

Works are continuing within the verge. We're improving drainage, constructing emergency areas and preparing the hard shoulder to be converted into a permanent lane. We're also continuing to install new gantries across the motorway. To deliver this work safely, we need to fully close the motorway; and in some cases this will be in both directions of travel.

In March 2019 we're planning to start working within the central reservation. This work will include removing the existing steel barrier, improving the drainage and installing a new concrete barrier. To carry out this work, we will need to change our traffic management to create a working area within the centre of the motorway. This will mean pushing the narrow lanes towards the verges. We'll need to close the motorway overnight to make this change to our traffic management.

Closure information can be found on the roadworks tab below, and on Traffic England.

Alternatively, if you wish to be sent our weekly Traffic Management Bulletin, which details all planned closures for smart motorway work on the M6 between junctions 2 and 19, please email: M6.j2-4@highwaysengland.co.uk to be added to our closure information distribution list, sent out each week.

Timeline

Why we need this scheme

The M6 at junctions 2 to 4 currently suffers frequent delays due to the volume of traffic. This scheme will provide greater traffic capacity and more reliable journey times by improving the flow of traffic.

Aims

This scheme aims to:

• reduced congestion by smoothing the flow of traffic to improve journey times and make them more reliable
• facilitate economic growth within the region, by providing much needed capacity on the motorway
• maximise motorway capacity while maintaining safety on motorways, which already are among the safest roads in the world

The scheme in detail

This project involves:

• converting the hard shoulder to create a permanent fourth lane between junctions 2 and 3a
• converting the climbing lane eastbound between junction 3a and 3 to a permanent traffic lane and retaining the hard shoulder
• between junctions 4 and 3a the motorway will have 3 lanes and a hard shoulder; this is designed to tie in with the existing M6 junction 5 to 8 smart motorway
• installing new electronic information signs, signals and CCTV cameras - these will be used to vary speed limits and manage traffic flow and incidents
• installing 9 emergency refuge areas to use in place of the hard shoulder
• improving the central reserve and adding a reinforced barrier to improve safety
• adding new noise barriers in built up areas

Environmental impact

Ecological mitigation work is continuing, including the relocation of great crested newts within the highways boundary during spring 2018.

We've undertaken an environmental assessment that covers topics including noise and vibration, air quality, ecology and visual impacts. The results are presented in an Environmental Study Report where we describe the measures we'll take to minimise impact and enhance the environment. Appendices are available on request by emailing the project team.

Roadworks and Events for England

The latest incident information for England's motorway and trunk routes provided by Highways England