A45 Small Heath Highway live as truck crashes into bridge causing rush hour traffic delays
The A45 Small Heath Highway is closed in both directions during rush hour after a lorry crashed into a bridge on Wednesday afternoon. The busy dual carriageway is shut to allow emergency services to work.
The HGV struck the bridge between A4540 Bordesley Middleway (Bordesley Circus) and B4145 Golden Hillock Road (Poets Corner). As a result, congestion is spreading to Heybarnes Circus.
Surrounding routes around Small Heath, Sparkbrook, Sparkhill and Balsall Heath are also heavily congested as traffic seeks an alternative. Drivers are advised to avoid the area, because of significant traffic delays.
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There are also bus diversions in place. National Express West Midlands services 4, 4A, 5, 6, X1 and X2 are on diversion. We have contacted West Midlands Police for a statement regarding this incident.
This is a live blog and we will be bringing you updates as we get them.
19:33 birminghammail.co.uk
Small Heath Highway has reopened
The A45 Small Heath Highway has reopened.
Bus services 4, 4A, 5, 6, X1 & X2 are running normal line of route.
We will be ending our coverage here. Thank you for joining us.
18:54 birminghammail.co.uk
Updated information from traffic provider Inrix
Traffic information service Inrix had published the latest on the A45 Small Heath Highway bridge collision. It remains closed in both directions between the A4540 Bordesley Middleway (Bordesley Circus) and B4145 Golden Hillock Road (Poets Corner).
The congestion stretches to the Ring Road in both directions. The inbound side is back to back with cars to Haybarnes Circus.
Surrounding routes around Small Heath, Sparkbrook, Sparkhill and Balsall Heath are also heavily congested.
Bus services 4, 4A, 5, 6, X1 and X2 are on diversion.
18:28 birminghammail.co.uk
Latest from National Express West Midlands
The bus company posted on X: “Heavy congestion around Bordesley, Small Heath and Highgate This is partly due to the closure of A45 Small Heath Highway and other contributing factors.
“Please allow more time to travel. Apologies for the inconvenience caused that is beyond our control.
“Services 4, 4A, 5, 6, X1 & X2 will be diverting in both directions via: Coventry Road, Golden Hillock Road.”
18:12 birminghammail.co.uk
The story so far
A key commuter route was closed tonight after a crane crashed into a bridge. The A45 Small Heath[4] Highway was shut in both directions after the vehicle struck the bridge between Bordesley Middleway (Bordesley Circus) and Golden Hillock Road (Poets Corner) on Wednesday afternoon.
We have a full report on the incident here.[5]
18:04 birminghammail.co.uk
Image of crane on scene of collision
West Midlands Police have said a crane crashed into a bridge on the Small Heath Highway. As a result the road is closed in both directions between Bordesley Circus and Poets Corner.
This is an image of a HGV being loaded onto a flatbed lorry.
The crane which crashed into the bridge at Small Heath Highway is loaded on to a flatbed lorry
17:48 birminghammail.co.uk
Statement from West Midlands Police
The force said: “We are currently supporting other agencies as the A45 Small Heath Highway is closed off this evening after a crane struck a bridge.
“No one has reported any injuries but the road is shut in both directions between Bordesley Circus and Poets Corner.
“It is likely to remain closed for a number of hours and drivers are advised to avoid the area and find an alternative route.”
17:41 birminghammail.co.uk
Roads around Small Heath, Sparkhill, Sparkbrook and Balsall heath are heavily congested
As Small Heath Highway remains closed, traffic is being redirected onto smaller side roads. Please allow time for delays if you are venuturing out this evening.
Traffic is being re-routed along smaller roads causing congestion
17:31 birminghammail.co.uk
How bad is the congestion ?
There’s congestion to the Ring Road in both directions. The inbound side stretches back to Haybarnes Circus.
Routes around Small Heath, Sparkbrook, Sparkhill and Balsall Heath are also heavily congested as drivers seek an alternative.
A45 Small Heath Highway #WMROADSBirmingham[6]
Between Bordesley Circus & Poets Corner
Police incident
Road is closed in both directions
Consider other routes#PlanAhead pic.twitter.com/rJNSDMZrjG[7][8]
— West Midlands Roads (@WMRoads) August 21, 2024[9]
17:24 birminghammail.co.uk
Video shows Small Heath Highway devoid of traffic
This video was taken from the Small Heath Highway and shows the crashed lorry being taken away on flatbed truck.
Both carriageways are closed and there is no time on when they will be reopening. As a result, traffic is being fed on to smaller roads, causing congestion and delays.
17:19 birminghammail.co.uk
First image of the bridge crash site
This image shows the scene of the bridge strike earlier this afternoon. It happened between the A4540 Bordesley Middleway (Bordesley Circus) and B4145 Golden Hillock Road (Poets Corner).
The lorry has been removed and work is underway to make the scene safe.
The scene of the lorry crash on the Small Heath Highway
17:14 birminghammail.co.uk
The latest travel information in the Small Heath area
Good afternoon. There is rush hour travel chaos after a lorry crashed into a bridge on the Small Heath Highway earlier.
As a result, the dual carriageway – a key commuting link – is closed in both directions.
Service Disruption
Due to an incident ongoing on A45 Small Heath Highway #SmallHeath[10]
Services 4, 4A, 5, 6, X1 & X2 will be diverting in both directions via:
Coventry Road, Golden Hillock Road
Apologies for any disruption to your journey.
— NX West Midlands (@nxwestmidlands) August 21, 2024[11]
References
- ^ Birmingham’s most famous pub to reopen as owner says ‘we’re doing it for the fans’ (www.birminghammail.co.uk)
- ^ Birmingham woman fighting for her life as TUI holiday turns into ‘nightmare’ (www.birminghammail.co.uk)
- ^ Get breaking news on BirminghamLive WhatsApp (chat.whatsapp.com)
- ^ Small Heath (www.birminghammail.co.uk)
- ^ incident here. (www.birminghammail.co.uk)
- ^ #WMROADSBirmingham (twitter.com)
- ^ #PlanAhead (twitter.com)
- ^ pic.twitter.com/rJNSDMZrjG (t.co)
- ^ August 21, 2024 (twitter.com)
- ^ #SmallHeath (twitter.com)
- ^ August 21, 2024 (twitter.com)