Bank Holiday getaway mayhem live after lorry crash closes M42 lanes

Drivers are facing severe delays after a lorry crashed and shed paint all over the motorway. The HGV crashed on the M42 southbound between junctions five and four, between Solihull and Shirley. National Highways Traffic Officers are on the scene and three lanes have been closed as a clean-up operation gets underway.

Get breaking news on BirminghamLive WhatsApp, click the link to join[1] National Highways posted on X: "3 (of 4) lanes are closed on the #M42 southbound in the #WestMidlands between J5 #Solihull and J4 #Shirley due to a collision involving a HGV which has spilled paint across 3 lanes. "National Highways Traffic Officers are currently on scene dealing with traffic management."

The opposite side is also congested to J3A (M40 Interchange) due to the onlookers. It happened at the start of the last summer Bank Holiday weekend of the summer. Midland drivers have been warned of potential roads issues with more than 17 million car getaways planned and the Midlands badly hit by public transport problems.

The RAC, which issued the alert, urged drivers to set off as early as possible or "be prepared to spend longer in traffic".

The South East and South West were expected to have some of the worst congestion.

References

1. ^ BirminghamLive WhatsApp (chat.whatsapp.com)