M42 live: Traffic chaos as police close part of motorway with huge delays

Part of the M42 has closed this morning due to a police-led traffic incident, causing massive, hour-long delays both ways on the major motorway [1]. Police have shut the carriageways in both directions between J4 for Shirley and J5 for Solihull. It has led to three miles of tailbacks and delays of more than an hour for drivers [2].

National Highways West Midlands [3] warned in a post on X that part of the M42 has shut due to a traffic incident, with delays "in excess of one hour" in both directions. Follow the latest on the motorway chaos here:

09:30KEY EVENT

National Highways update on motorway closure as driver face 90 minute delays

Motorists have been told that the delays on the M42 are now 90 minutes long with both sides of the carriageway still closed. A spokesperson for National Highways in an update stated: "The M42 in the West Midlands is closed in both directions between J4 (Shirley) and J5 (Solihull) due to a Police led Incident.

"Delays are approx.

90 minutes above normal in both directions - just over 4 miles of congestion both ways, northbound back to the M40 and southbound back past the A45 Birmingham Airport, to the M6."

09:23Tim Hanlon

Birmingham Airport issues warning for people catching flights

Birmingham Airport has urged people to allow for more time on the M42 due to diversions in place. It wrote on X: "Please be aware and allow additional to your journey to and from the airport." The airport also reposted an update on motorway from National Highways.

Please be aware and allow additional to your journey to and from the airport https://t.co/a7usKzn9dc [4]

-- Birmingham Airport (@bhx_official) July 10, 2025 [5]09:12Tim Hanlon

Tailbacks to the M40 and Birmingham Airport in 3 mile queues both ways on M42

Motorists have been stuck in long delays for more than two hours on the M42 following a police incident. Both carriageways are closed with queues going back three miles in both directions with the incident between Junctions 4 and 5.

National Highways states: "The M42 in the West Midlands is closed in both directions between J4 (Shirley) and J5 (Solihull) due to a Police led Incident. "Delays are building in both directions - approximately 3 miles of congestion both ways, northbound back to the M40 and southbound back to the A45 Birmingham Airport."

08:55Tim Hanlon

Major queues also on M6 in West Midlands with lane closed and 45 minute delays

Motorists in the West Midlands are also facing 45 minute delays southbound on the M6 with a lane closed between Junction 8 and 9 due to a broken down lorry. National Highways: West Midlands wrote on X: "#M6 southbound between J9 #Wednesbury and J8.

Lane 1 (of 3 lanes) is closed due to a broken down lorry. "Vehicle recovery is at scene. Delays of 45 minutes on the approach - 7 miles of congestion - almost back to J11 #Shareshill #CheslynHay #M6Toll."

08:47KEY EVENT

Motorway is closed over 'welfare of man' says police

Officers are currently at the scene due to concerns for the welfare of a man.

A police spokesman told BirminghamLive [6]: "We've been called to the M42 following concerns for the welfare of a man. "The motorway is currently closed between junctions 4 and 5 at Solihull, as we seek to safely resolve the situation." There is more than three miles of tailbacks with drivers warned to expect delays of more than an hour.

While those heading to Birmingham Airport were warned to allow extra time to complete their journey or seek a different route to BHX.

08:38Tim Hanlon

Diversion for traffic going south on M42 following police incident

Here is the diversion for traffic heading south on the M42 with people told to follow the hollow square diversion symbol. Continue on B4102, signed (A41) Southbound, to B4102/B4025 junction. At B4102/B4025 junction, continue straight onto B4025, signed (A41) Southbound.

Continue on B4025, signed (A41) Southbound, to B4025/A41 roundabout junction. At B4025/A41 roundabout junction, turn left (1st exit) onto the A41 Southbound. Continue on A41 Southbound, to M42, Junction 5 roundabout.

08:36Tim Hanlon

Diversion route in place for motorists going northbound on M42

A diversion route has been put in place for motorists heading both ways on the M42 which is now closed for a section by Solihull.

Northbound - Road users are advised to follow the solid diamond diversion symbol on road signs: Exit M42 Northbound, at Junction 4 - turn left (1st exit), onto A34 Northbound. Continue on A34 Northbound, to A34/B4025 roundabout junction.

At A34/B4025 roundabout junction, turn right (5th exit), onto B4025 Eastbound. Continue on B4025 Eastbound, to B4025/B4102 roundabout junction. At B4025/B4102 roundabout junction, turn left (1st exit), onto B4102 Northbound.

Continue on B4102, signed (A41) Southbound, to B4102/B4025 roundabout junction. At B4102/B425 roundabout junction, turn right (3rd exit) onto B4102, signed (A41).

08:32Tim Hanlon

People heading to Birmingham Airport warned of long delays on M42

Motorists are being warned to allow extra time if you are travelling to Birmingham Airport today. There are delays in excess of one hour on the M42 in both directions due to the ongoing police-led incident.

National Highways wrote on X: "There are delays in excess of 1 hour on the #M42 in both directions due to the ongoing @WMPolice led incident. The road is closed between J4 #Shirley and J5 #Solihull Southbound congestion back to #M6 Allow extra time if travelling to @bhx_official."

08:26KEY EVENT

Police confirm they are dealing with 'incident' on M42

West Midlands Police said they are at the scene of an incident on the M42. Posting on X, it says: "We are currently dealing with an incident on the M42 between Junction 4 and 5 at Solihull.

"The motorway is currently closed in both directions."

08:24Tim Hanlon

Motorists face long delays on both carriageways of the M42

Traffic data monitor Inrix posted: "M42 in both directions blocked, long delays due to police incident from J5 A41 Solihull By-pass (Solihull / Knowle) to J4 A3400 Stratford Road (Shirley / Dorridge)."

08:23Tim Hanlon

National Highways latest on the incident

National Highways: West Midlands posted on X: "#M42 is closed in both directions - between J4 #Shirley and J5 #Solihull. This is due to a @Trafficwmp led incident. "Delays building, 2.5 miles of congestion both ways - northbound back to #M40, southbound back to #A45 @bhx_official."

It later posted: "There are delays in excess of 1 hour on the #M42 in both directions due to the ongoing @WMPolice led incident.

"The road is closed between J4 #Shirley and J5 #Solihull Southbound congestion back to #M6 Allow extra time if travelling to @bhx_official."

References

^ motorway (www.mirror.co.uk)
^ drivers (www.mirror.co.uk)
^ National Highways West Midlands (www.mirror.co.uk)
^ https://t.co/a7usKzn9dc (t.co)
^ July 10, 2025 (twitter.com)
^ BirminghamLive (www.birminghammail.co.uk)