M5 roadworks: Motorists facing months of misery with repairs planned to crumbling viaduct

The maintenance work on the Oldbury viaduct, between Junctions 1 and 2 of the motorway, was initially estimated to take five years, but Highways England has now said it will take 'significantly less' time than that.

But it still leaves motorists facing the prospect of more than a year of delays on the stretch between West Bromwich and Oldbury, only a short distance down from where the M5 meets the M6, a notoriously congested section of the West Midlands motorway network.

Highways England said the work, which is due to start in April, was 'essential' and that it was doing everything possible to minimise disruption while it is ongoing.

Bosses said traffic management during the works was still being finalised.

Operating three narrow lanes of traffic is one option being explored.

Slip roads could also be closed during the works, although Highways England said it was hopeful that would not be the case for the entirety of the scheme.

The work will be focused on the 3km-long Oldbury Viaduct, which the motorway runs over, and will see the existing waterproofing system, last renewed 30 years ago, replaced.

If the work is not done, experts fear the viaduct will continue to deteriorate.

A report by the Black Country Local Enterprise Partnership had suggested the work could last for five years but Highways England has distanced itself from that timescale estimate.

It is the latest headache facing motorists on the Midlands motorways. Roadworks on the M6, between Junctions 7 for Great Barr and 8 for the M5, have caused regular traffic jams over the past six months.

Highways England Project Manager Alastair Warnes said: "We're carrying out essential maintenance work on the Oldbury viaduct.

"This routine, but necessary, work will ensure people continue to have safe and reliable journeys on this section of the M5."