M42 traffic: Drivers face 'severe' delays as 'substantial fuel spillage' causes rush hour chaos

Drivers are facing long delays on the M42 this morning following an accident, with specialist teams on the scene.

The M42 in the West Midlands is closed northbound between J3A (M40) and J4 (Solihull) due to a collision.

National Highways issued the warning, saying that a "substantial fuel spillage" across the carriageway was impacting traffic.

Traffic officers from the transport organisation are on the scene assisting with the management of vehicles caught up in the incident.

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It confirmed that traffic caught within the closure has now been released, although long delays remain on the road.

A hydro blaster has arrived at the scene on the M42, and service providers are in the process of assessing the spillage.

AA traffic maps show that there are "severe delays" on the M42 northbound near Hopwood Park Services and Alvechurch.

Traffic cameras from the scene show long queues of drivers impacted by the spillage during rush hour, just south of Birmingham.

National Highways states: "If this closure impacts on your planned route, please allow extra journey time. Plan ahead, you may wish to re-route or even delay your journey."

It has outlined a diversion route for motorists to follow if they are travelling on the M42 northbound or the M40 northbound.

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Traffic wishing to continue on the M42 northbound at J3A should follow the solid circle diversion symbol

• At J3A, follow the link road to join the M40 southbound
• Continue on the M40 southbound to J16 (A3400)
• Exit at J16 and then take the 1st exit onto the A3400 northbound
• Continue on the A3400 northbound to the M42 (J4) roundabout
• At the roundabout, take the 4th exit to then re-join the M42 northbound

Traffic travelling on the M40 northbound and wishing to join the M42 northbound at J3A should also follow the solid circle diversion symbol

• At the M42 J3A, follow the link road to continue on the M42 until J3 (A435)
• At the roundabout, take the 5th exit to then re-join the M42 northbound
• Continue back onto the M40 southbound and then exit at J16 (A4300)
• Continue on the A3400 northbound to the M42 (J4) roundabout
• At the roundabout, take the 4th exit to then re-join the M42 northbound

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