Overnight M6 closures postponed for summer

Overnight closures on the M6 as part of the £126 million scheme to create a fourth lane have been postponed due to the Olympic Games and big summer getaway.

The planned work for this summer will now take place in the autumn to avoid major disruption. The Highways Agency said events such as V Festival had played a part in the decision.

It is concerned about increased traffic numbers on the motorway this summer.

Although there will be no overnight closures between Junction 5 Castle Bromwich and 8 for the M5 linkway at West Bromwich, the current 50mph limit will remain.

Highways Agency spokesman Bas Abdulla said: "To help road users, we are avoiding closures during the summer holiday and Olympic period and when we have large events, such as V Festival.

"This means there will be no full closures until late autumn and we will be able to provide more details of these after the summer holiday period.

"Work to deliver these much-needed improvements to the M6 will continue, with activities such as constructing drainage systems and emergency refuge areas. This work will be carried out within the existing works."

The £126m scheme along the 10-mile M6 stretch is expected to last for around 18 months.

Once complete, the work to create a fourth lane will move between junction 10A for the M54 to 13 at Stafford in 2014.

The AA today welcomed the decision to delay the closures.

Head of road policy Paul Watters said: "I welcome the postponement. It should mean less disruption to motorists during a busy time of the year."