Highways Agency

Latest Update - December 2006

The works on the M6 between junctions 5 and 6 are now complete. As a result, traffic management restrictions on the M6 have been removed with the slip road from the M6 onto the A38(M) at junction 6 opened on Monday 20 November. This is approximately two weeks ahead of schedule.

While traffic restrictions were in place for the original pothole repair scheme on the southbound carriageway, we also carried out the following additional works:

• Resurfacing and joint replacement on the northbound carriageway from Junction 5 to the start of the scheme we completed in 2004
• Improvements to the slip road from the A38 (M) onto the M6 going north at Junction 6 which provides a longer distance for traffic from the centre of Birmingham to merge with the traffic on the M6
• Improvements to the white lining on the slip road from the A38 (M) onto the M6 going south.

We programmed these works to take advantage of the restrictions already in place on the M6 in order to minimise disruption to road users and prevent potential unplanned delays in the future caused by deterioration of the surfacing.

Thank you for your cooperation during these vital works.

The Project

On 29 September 2006 we completed the resurfacing work to the M6 Northbound carriageway at Junction 8 (M5 Interchange).

On 20 November 2006 we completed the resurfacing work on the M6 Southbound carriageway at Junction 6-5 (near Spaghetti Junction).

This project was procured via the Construction Management Framework. Find out more about this type of procurement.

Additional Works between M6 J5 and J6

Whilst working on the northbound carriageway adjacent to J6 we identified that additional work needed to be undertaken to stop further deterioration of the adjoining road surface. We managed to secure extra funding to carry out the repairs.  The work was planned to coincide with the current potholes repairs works and was completed within the same timescales.

Additional traffic management extended over 7km as opposed to the 4 km over that section. A speed restriction of 40mph was in force with additional speed cameras monitoring the traffic.

The works

We resurfaced the carriageway opposite to that renewed in 2004.  As in 2004, the work was to repair potholes that occured due to the heavy traffic.  The road surface was removed, a new waterproofing layer applied and covered with the new road surface.

To reduce the time taken to complete the work, we undertook two separate repair projects at the same time.  This lessened the overall disruption to traffic by shortening the duration of the work by about 3 months.

M6 and M6/M5 Southbound Link - Ray Hall Viaduct - ongoing

For further information about this project please visit the Ray Hall Viaduct Home Page .