Weekend motorway closures continue for HS2 work

Part of the M42 in Warwickshire has shut for HS2 works.

The closures began from 21:00 BST on Friday and will be in place until 05:00 on Monday as more beam installations take place as well as work on the Water Orton viaduct.

The affected areas include a stretch between Junction 6 to 9 on the northbound carriageway and Junction 7A to 6 on the southbound carriageway.

They also include the M6 Junction 4a southbound link to the M42 in both directions and the M6 northbound Junction 3a link to the M6 Toll T1 and M6 Toll southbound from T2.

A series of weekend road closures began last month to install beams to support a "twin box" structure over the motorway - this is what the HS2 line will run through when trains start operating between Birmingham and London.

In total, 175 beams, each weighing up to 92 tonnes, will make up the roof deck and will be lifted into place using a 300-tonne crane.

An HS2 spokesperson said: "This work is being carried out in stages and will be completed in 2026."

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Major HS2 works begin around the M6 and M42