Highways Agency

The Project

On the M42 J1 southbound, leading to M5 J4a which splits off to M5 North & South, some late lane changing, associated collisions, driver uncertainty and confusion is occurring which results in drivers on the M42 travelling in the southbound direction, rather than the North and vice-versa on the M5.

To reduce the problems the existing diverge has been converted into a Ghost Island (an area of carriageway suitably marked to separate lanes of traffic travelling in the same direction) and the removal and installation of new verge and gantry (overhead) signs.

The works took place between  February 2007 and April 2007.

Road users will benefit from a reduction in journey times as a result of the anticipated reduction in collisions and an improvement to the flow of traffic. Additionally, the works were designed to remove the confusion that some road users have experienced resulting from the existing signage for the M5 north and south.

Traffic Management

Works were kept to a minimum to minimise disruption to the public. These were carried out predominantly overnight with off-peak lane closures and some total motorway closures with diversion routes.