M5 Junction 1 To 2 Oldbury Viaduct

Please see details of our first closures for 2019.
All diversions will be clearly signposted and all closures may be subject to change due to weather or operational/network issues.
No further updates will be issued now until the new year as the site will be closed until 2 January 2019 and this page will not be monitored until then.
... However, if you have any concerns or issues regarding the works on the M5 please do not hesitate to contact the Customer Contact Centre on 0300 123 5000. Merry Christmas and Happy New Year.
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You wouldn’t fly without the proper checks being carried out, so why drive without them?
Every year, Highways England Traffic Officers deal with more than 85,000 breakdowns on the roads they patrol. In the last 2 years, more than 40% of these breakdowns were caused by vehicles running out of fuel, poor tyre maintenance, power loss and engine trouble.
On Oldbury Viaduct, to date we have recovered a total of 1114 vehicles from our free recovery areas alone, almost 3 a day. The... majority of these breakdowns, 87%, were cars or light vehicles and 13% were HGVs.
Broken down vehicles are spotted by our CCTV cameras and then removed, on average, in under 30 minutes.
Conventional recovery vehicles can take time to reach an incident if the network is congested. Our Fast Responder motorcycle can be first on the scene in the event of a breakdown or incident. The bike carries small quantities of petrol and diesel to get people moving as soon as possible. The rider is a trained first aider and mechanic and carries a selection of common tools and spare parts.
In 2018, we have had to use the bike 69 times on the Oldbury scheme to help motorists who ran out of fuel in our free recovery areas. Breakdowns through roadworks cause even greater disruption.
While some breakdowns are unavoidable, there are a few quick and easy vehicle checks you can do to prevent this, such as keeping your tank at least one-quarter full to avoid running out of fuel on your journey. Having a roadworthy vehicle can also save you time and money in the future.
For further advice on vehicle safety checks, please see the video on the link below and also visit the THINK! website.
http://ow.ly/MNza30n3uMk
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Please see details of tonights and next weeks M5 and local road closures. All diversions will be clearly signposted and all closures may be subject to change due to weather or operational/network issues.
Further updates will be issued as required. If you have any concerns or issues regarding the works on the M5 please do not hesitate to contact us by calling the Customer Contact Centre on 0300 123 5000

To ensure that the reinforced concrete deck of the viaduct is repaired safely, we have to phase the number of concrete repairs completed at any one time to maintain its structural integrity.
We cannot simply remove all deteriorated concrete from a deck section at once.
In addition, each repair requires around week to complete, start to finish and the concrete has to reach the sufficient strength required before the next set of repairs can be completed. A strict design is ...in place on how we phase the repairs, based on examination of the original viaduct drawings from the late 1960s, when the viaduct was constructed. The most prominent rule in the repair design methodology allows the maximum of a 2m by 2m repair to be carried out at a time, with a 4m by 2m exclusion zone around it. This rules applies over the entire 3.2km viaduct, meaning we have to repair an area over 100,000m2 at the rate of only 4m2 at a time. The attached diagrams give more detail.
Repairs can be either full depth or partial depth as shown.
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Confirmation of changes to tonight's closures

PLEASE BE ADVISED:
TONIGHT'S CLOSURE OF M5 J1 NORTHBOUND to M6 SOUTHBOUND (EASTERN ARM) WILL COMMENCE AT 23:00 AND NOT 21:00.

Please see details of tonights and next weeks M5 and local road closures. All diversions will be clearly signposted and all closures may be subject to change due to weather or operational/network issues.
Further updates will be issued as required. If you have any concerns or issues regarding the works on the M5 please do not hesitate to contact us by calling the Customer Contact Centre on 0300 123 5000

Please see details of tonights and next weeks M5 and local road closures.
All diversions will be clearly signposted and all closures may be subject to change due to weather or operational/network issues.
Further updates will be issued as required. If you have any concerns or issues regarding the works on the M5 please do not hesitate to contact us by calling the Customer Contact Centre on 0300 123 5000

Please note. We intend to remove the measures we’ve had to have in place at M5 junction 4a as soon as possible in the new year, subject to weather conditions. These were always designed to encourage road users to use alternative routes and different methods of transport while work takes place on the M5 at Oldbury. The latest traffic data available to us shows that customers have followed our advice and subsequently we have seen more people using the M42 as an alternative rout...e. The traffic on Sandwell’s road network has adapted well to the disruption, and we have seen a switch in modes of transport, such as an increase in train travel.
While this vital repair work continues, we’d like to thank customers for their patience and ask them to continue using alternative transport arrangements.
Further, please see details of tonight's and next week's M5 and local road closures.
All diversions will be clearly signposted and all closures may be subject to change due to weather or operational/network issues.
Further updates will be issued as required. If you have any concerns or issues regarding the works on the M5 please do not hesitate to contact us by calling the Customer Contact Centre on 0300 123 5000
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Concrete repairs are progressing well on the northbound carriageway. Here's some photos from the end of last week.

Please note: On Sunday 18 November is the Nagar Kirtan parade.
This Sikh community parade heads from West Bromwich to Smethwick via Oldbury stopping at several Gurdwaras along the way.
... Road closures will be carried out by Sandwell MBC on a rolling basis as required.
For more details click on link to SMBC road closures page.
http://ow.ly/TTPn30mD0gB
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Please see details of tonight's and next week's M5 and local road closures. All diversions will be clearly signposted and all closures may be subject to change due to weather or operational/network issues.
Further updates will be issued as required. If you have any concerns or issues regarding the works on the M5 please do not hesitate to contact us by calling the Customer Contact Centre on 0300 123 5000

Please see (minor) revised details of tonight's and next week's M5 and local road closures. All diversions will be clearly signposted and all closures may be subject to change due to weather or operational/network issues.
Further updates will be issued as required. If you have any concerns or issues regarding the works on the M5 please do not hesitate to contact us by calling the Customer Contact Centre on 0300 123 5000

Please see attached link to M5 Oldbury Renewal Traffic Management Impact Assessment and Performance Report for the period July 2017 – May 2018. This is published on the M5 Oldbury page of the Highways England website.
A decision on the future of the traffic management at J4a has not yet reached a conclusion as we are still in consultation with local authorities in order to minimise any impact on them. A further update will be issued when this consultation process is complete.
http://ow.ly/so7730myQpR

Please see details of tonight's and next week's M5 and local road closures.
All diversions will be clearly signposted and all closures may be subject to change due to weather or operational/network issues.
Further updates will be issued as required. If you have any concerns or issues regarding the works on the M5 please do not hesitate to contact us by calling the Customer Contact Centre on 0300 123 5000

Please see revised details of tonight's and next week's M5 and local road closures.
The weekend's M5 Northbound J2 - 1 closures have been cancelled.

Please see details of tonight's and next week's M5 and local road closures. All diversions will be clearly signposted and all closures may be subject to change due to weather or operational/network issues.
Please note: Sunday 4th November - Lions of War statue unveiling in High Street, Smethwick. This is an event to unveil a new statue of a Sikh Word War I soldier. It has attracted a lot of interest and is being covered by the main TV networks and there will be numerous VIP...s present. It is anticipated that people will travel from all over the country to attend. Additional traffic is expected on roads around both M5 J1 & J2.
Further updates will be issued as required. If you have any concerns or issues regarding the works on the M5 please do not hesitate to contact us by calling the Customer Contact Centre on 0300 123 5000
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In addition to the concrete repairs, re-waterproofing and new surfacing being completed on the Oldbury Viaduct Major Renewal Scheme, there are other less obvious elements to the works. The pictures summarise the works being undertaken to renew the communications system along the viaduct

Welcome to the Highways England Oldbury Viaduct Facebook page.
Through the West Midlands, various sections of the M5 are elevated structures, or viaducts, constructed in the late 1960s. As the number of vehicles has increased, so has the amount of maintenance necessary to keep these structures safe and open to traffic.
Oldbury Viaduct was opened in 1970 and carries approximately 3km of the M5 to the west of Birmingham between junctions 1 and 2. The waterproof layer on the vi...aduct has reached the end of its lifespan which means the concrete is no longer protected. Because of this some of the concrete has been damaged. We are repairing the concrete and replacing the waterproofing on the Oldbury Viaduct to keep the viaduct stable and safe for years to come. This is the largest concrete repair project (by value) ever undertaken in the UK.
To complete this work safely and efficiently we have a contraflow system in place between M5 junctions 1-2 with a 30mph speed limit. This means all traffic is using the northbound carriageway with 2 narrow lanes operating in each direction.
This section of the M5 motorway is particularly busy as it provides a commuter route around the Birmingham hub. It is not possible to carry out a scheme of this scale without causing severe congestion in the area. To reduce this congestion we have made changes to the road layout at M5 junction 4a northbound and M6 junction 8 southbound to encourage drivers to take the alternative route along the M42 or M6 and limit the amount of traffic heading through the roadworks at Oldbury Viaduct.
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We all have memorable moments that have shaped our lives - our first kiss, the birth of our first child, the day we got married.



For me, none of these compare to the first moment I slowly edged onto junction 2 of the M5 and feasted my eyes upon the breathtaking splendour of the oldbury viaduct roadworks.



Although it's understandable that many less cultured visitors than myself have displayed frustration and anger at the 30mph speed limit I personally feel this enhances the experience even further.



Who in their right mind would wish to drive past this visual treat at speed when a barely crawling pace provides one with the opportunity to truly revel in the sights and sounds of this man made wonder?



My son particularly enjoyed the "human zoo" element of the attraction. Some of the finest examples of stationary road working operatives in their natural habitat that one could ever wish to see. Admittedly, they're not easy to spot but if you look hard enough, they are certainly there.



It is worth doing some research as to the best times to see them though - on several occasions their numbers appeared somewhat diminished - I assume it was mating season and therefore the males of the group were possibly procreating or gathering food for their females.



All in all, a great day out and I'm sure I can speak for other visitors when I say that I sincerely hope the completion date is extended way past the "autumn" deadline that is currently advertised.

Was another fantastic day driving through there thanks lads and lasses you have made my day by having another night out in a truck away from my family much appreciated

Thinking about taking the family for a day trip to the roadworks over the weekend as I love it so much. Spend lots of my time travelling stuck on this stretch of road and want the family to share the experience. When is the best time to visit (as in when delays are the longest?)? Thanks, love you

Loved the 30 miles an hour gives me plenty of time to look at the unused road maintenance vehicles that line the route. Perfect. Highly recommended, would visit again.

Hi Highways England. Currently enjoying my 30 mph jaunt across your wonderful bridge. So peaceful - not a soul in hi-viz doing any work whatsoever. Suggest applying for National Park status - so many rare, endangered species not to be seen - structural engineers, roadworkers and their like. Truly enthralling...

Given the queues to see this attraction are so vast and so many thousands of people attending daily, this has surely got to be one of the UK's most popular attractions. I've no reason to drive up the M5 but if it's that popular they must be on to something ? I quite like watching people work but from other reviews it seems the chances of actually seeing work taking place are quite low unfortunately. I'll give it a tentative 4 star review but reserve the right to change that score if I get lost and find myself between Jct1 and 2 of the M5. Keep up the good 'work' Highways England.

All the moaners out there need to spend couple of days working on it.

I wouldn't want to do it they have my up most respect.

I use this two ways every work day and even though it gets frustrating in traffic jams I'd rather be safe than driving on a dangerous viaduct

Not a bad afternoon spent here.

The barriers were the highlight of it all.

No toilets for the kids and elderly so be warned.

No need to bring your Merlin Pass as this attraction is completely free!

10/10 will visit again tomorrow...... twice

What a joke. The whole road system is messed up because of this all the way up to J10 M6 at times. Then you’ve closed a lane down from the busiest direction M6 south!!

It’s cost local industry money and the road haulage thousands of pounds in delays.

Project like this should be being worked on 24/7 get it finished.

No working on weekends and even when they are working it’s a joke. 30mph limits and the extreme traffic have meant the local economies have taken a massive hit. Ridiculous!

Love it cant wait to be in next 40 minute traffic jam it causes at rush hour time. The 30 limit is pathetic its for our own good but fok me its taking for eva.

I wonder if the blokes working , were on an piece rate rather than a ridiculous hourly rate , if they would work any quicker?? Every time I drive through there is 95% of these guys either smoking, stood around taking, stood around on there phone, or watching the 5% dog a little hole . It’s an absolute joke how long it takes and the delays it causes , not to mention the 100million quid it’s cost... how much of that is wasted on wages where everyone is doing absolutely fuck all

I have to drive here every day and I don’t see 500 people working here I see about 20 people working!!! This is costing businesses and people lot of money in time and petrol sitting in traffic every morning for about 40 minutes. It should have been planned better and more workers should be employed to get the job done quickly. This motorway is always busy without any disruptions now can you imagine the traffic we have to go through everyday. Am sure workers are working hard to get the job done but it’s just not enough of them .

I delivered here the other day and spoke to a couple of workers who told me that they are massively behind and it’s going to be another 2 years before completion.



I hope you lot start getting fined for each day you go over your original finish date. You can’t blame a few days of snow for a 2 year delay in finishing.

I agree with 99% of people that comment, yes this work needed doing but jesus christ why dont you have men/women working round the clock to get this bloody job done and stop inconveniencing peoples days??? Bank holiday monday not one sod in sight, 500 people working on the site??? I think they are better at hide and seek than Anne Frank!!!

Highways England are the biggest group of imbeciles ever. Using public money to make motorists life a misery. I guess that we’re the idiots for putting up with it.

Everyday I travel down here to work in Redditch and it’s a pain in the arse. Yes I understand it needs maintenance, but everyday morning and night theres blokes bloody standing doing FUCK all! No wonder it’s taking so long. �

Completely unnecessary speed limits for the apparent '450 people working on this project'. Just saw 3 of the fuckers across the 4.5 mile stretch of utter despair and misery, one on their phone and 2 having a chat. Oh wait, just passed a spray unit trying to asphyxiate drivers-by with some deck covering during rush hour, of course being overseen by a guy in hi-vis with his hands in his pockets �

Any news on when the southbound carriageway will be completed? I cannot see you completing the work on the northbound carriageway by December - as you have been working on the southbound side for 11 months.



Why cannot you come clean with us now & say there will be delays? Based on your current progress rate, I cannot see you completing the northbound side until May 2019 (excluding building the new central reservation).