M40/M42 interchange: smart motorway

The M40/M42 interchange is frequently congested at peak times, affecting both local journeys and long distance traffic between London and Scotland. Major new developments in Birmingham, Solihull and the Black Country will also increase demand on the junction.

Start date Started

End date 2023-24

Cost £133 million - £312 million

Latest updates

21 August 2020

Scheme to be delivered by 2023-24

As we deliver this important road upgrade, we are conscious of the need to keep the region moving. We will coordinate our work with HS2 and the Commonwealth Games to minimise disruption to the network and we are currently finalising our work programme on this basis. We will deliver the scheme by 2023-24, but now expect to start the main construction work slightly later than originally planned.
23 January 2020

Variable mandatory speed limit consultation

Over the last year we have gathered information about the road and the areas that surround it to develop the design for the M40/M42 Interchange smart motorway project and determine which operating system to use.

We have launched our consultation to seek views on the proposed regulations to introduce variable mandatory speed limits to the M40 / M42 Interchange, including slip roads, between M42 J3 and J4 and M40 J16 as part of the M40 / M42 Interchange Smart Motorway Scheme.

Your opinion is important to us. We would like to encourage you to have your say on the proposals and would specifically like to hear how the proposal could affect you, your organisation or those you represent.

The consultation is now open for you to give us your views and will last for 4 weeks from 23 January 2020. It will close on 20 February 2020; please ensure responses arrive no later than the closing date.

Following the consultation period, we will produce a report which will provide a summary of the responses, the decision whether to proceed or to modify the proposals and allow us to respond to any comments made.

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Project information

Over the last year, we have been gathering information about the road and the areas that surround it to develop the design for the M40/M42 Interchange smart motorway project.

Our proposed regulations include the introduction of variable mandatory speed limits to the M40 / M42 Interchange, including slip roads, between M42 J3 and J4 and M40 J16 as part of the M40 / M42 Interchange Smart Motorway Scheme.

Following the consultation period, we will produce a report which will provide a summary of the responses, the decision whether to proceed or to modify the proposals and allow us to respond to any comments made.

The M40/M42 interchange is very important for local traffic and forms an important link for long distance traffic travelling between London and Scotland.

Congestion already occurs frequently at peak times at the interchange.

This scheme aims to: