POLICE have arrested a 52-year-old man after the M42 near a major UK airport was closed in both directions for several hours.
Traffic on the M42 outside Birmingham came to a standstill this morning after a collision between Junction 4 (Shirley) and Junction 5 (Solihull).
The M42 closed in both directions near a major UK airport
It is due to a police incident
A map showing where the traffic is building up
In a statement on X, West Midlands Police said: “A man has been arrested and the M42 has now re-opened after it was closed for several hours this morning.
“The 52-year-old has been arrested on suspicion of racially aggravated public order offences, affecting public infrastructure, criminal damage & other offences.”
Cars have been seen backed up past Birmingham International Airport to Junction 7 for the M6.
Images showed motorists waiting at a roadblock, with some getting out of their vehicles after the road was closed at 6.30am, as temperatures soared this morning.
National Highways said: “M42 is closed in both directions – between J4 Shirley and J5 Solihull.
“This is due to a West Midlands Police led incident.
“Delays building, 2.5 miles of congestion both ways – northbound back to M40, southbound back to A45.”
Traffic analyst Inrix added in an alert: “Road closed and severe delays due to police incident on M42 both ways from J5 A41 Solihull By-pass (Solihull / Knowle) to J4 A3400 Stratford Road (Shirley / Dorridge).
“Congestion to the M40 northbound and J7A southbound. Initially held at around 6:20.”
West Midlands Police told The Sun: “We’ve been called to the M42 following concerns for the welfare of a man.”
Officers added that they were working to resolve the situation safely.
Images show motorists waiting at a roadblock
West Midlands Police revealed they had been called following concerns for the welfare of a man Published: [#item_custom_pubDate]
