Drivers are being advised to leave extra time for their journeys on the M42 near Birmingham after a bridge straddling the motorway was damaged in two separate collisions.

The bridge between junctions 7 and 6 has been hit nearly 20 times in the last ten years.

Only two lanes are running underneath it, with the hard shoulder and lane 1 have been closed to ensure the safety of road users.

National Highways Duty Operations Manager, Damian Holdcroft, said: “The strikes have caused significant damage to the bridge so we have closed two lanes on the southbound carriageway while we carry out further investigations and look at the options available to us.

“Safety is always our number one priority and we cannot risk the bridge being hit in this area again.

“We appreciate the impact the lane closures are having on drivers and would urge people to allow extra time for their journeys, particularly if heading to Birmingham Airport or events at the NEC, and to take alternative routes if at all possible.”

National Highways adds that engineers are considering all possible solutions to ensure the safety of the bridge but until that is resolved, only two lanes will remain open.

The lane closures have seen traffic queues of up to 10 miles.

(Picture – National Highways)