A new footbridge has been in stalled across the A45 in the West Midlands, meaning people will be able to safely walk and cycle over the road to travel between Bickenhill and Catherine-de-Barnes, the National Exhibition Centre, Birmingham International railway station and the airport.   

The 92-tonne bridge – spanning almost 60m – was installed as part of a £282m upgrade to M42 junction 6 which once complete, is intended on alleviating congestion for motorists.

National Highways Senior Project Manager, Leyton Rahman, said: “We’re keen to make sure that this scheme benefits the local community as well as motorists and this new footbridge will make crossing the A45 much safer and easier for pedestrians and cyclists.    

“The opening of the footbridge is a key milestone in the project and we’re making good progress on the upgrade of junction 6, which once complete will make journeys much smoother for motorists.”  

National Highways says traffic congestion and poor journey reliability have constrained investment and economic growth around the M42 at junction 6. Having almost reached capacity, the junction has become a bottleneck, causing delays across the network.    

Once complete, the project will support planned development by improving access to HS2, the NEC, Birmingham Airport and future developments such as UK Central Solihull.  

(Picture – National Highways)