Progress report

We are currently working up smart motorway design options that would meet the aims of this scheme.

The government announced that the preferred solution was for a smart motorway with “All Lane Running”. This means the existing hard shoulder would be converted into a traffic lane providing four lanes for traffic. Regular refuge areas are available in place of the hard shoulder for emergency use.

As part of this we will assess a wide range of information about the road to establish the nature of the current problems. This will help us develop an outline design concept and determine the Smart Motorway operating system best suited to this section of road.

We aim to complete this first design stage by the end of May 2017.

We will also liaise with local authorities and technical stakeholders so we can take into account their views.

What next?

The next phase of design will begin in summer 2017.

Why we need this scheme

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. Major new developments are planned in Birmingham, Solihull and the Black Country, including a number of Enterprise Zones. This will only increase demands on this important junction.

Aims

This scheme aims to:

• reduce congestion and delays
• improve journey time reliability
• maintain a high standard of safety
• support economic growth and job creation

Roadworks and Events for England

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