C - M5 Roadworks

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Mon 23 Jul 2018 09:11
C - M5 Roadworks - dadbif
Yesterday I had the pleasure of using the M5 in both directions, this involved miles of narrow lanes with 50mph average speed cameras, the return was worse, from the M6 junction there are miles of roadworks and NO WORKERS, no wonder the “works” take so long, the only person I saw was a digger driver laying back in his seat on his phone. Why don’t they just get the job done, it’s been going on for years and the signs encouragingingly advise they will be finished in 2022!!!!
Hacks me off!

Edited by dadbif on 23/07/2018 at 09:12

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Mon 23 Jul 2018 09:53
C - M5 Roadworks - Avant

I sympathise - there is a complete lack of urgency about roadworks like this, and a lack of motivation on the part of the people who draw up the contracts.

In this particular case, there are helpful signs as you approach the area, telling you how long it will take if you go M5/M6 and how long by M42/M6 Toll. Each time I've done it recently it's been quicker by M42/M6 Toll. M42/M6 without the toll is another option if you need to go from the M5 to somewhere on the north side of Birmingham.

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Mon 23 Jul 2018 10:19
C - M5 Roadworks - gordonbennet

I thought the elevated section jcts 1 to 2 was 30 mph limit.

There is another way around this section going South without having to travel the extra miles going round the M42 or stumping up the toll, but seeing as two of my regular deliveries mean using and /or crossing the alternative i'll leave it to the sensible to get their map books out and work it out for themselves.

Northbound is whole lot more awkward.

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Mon 23 Jul 2018 12:33
C - M5 Roadworks - nick62
map books

Its a road atlas GB :)

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Mon 23 Jul 2018 13:12
C - M5 Roadworks - dadbif

Trouble is, as a frequent traveller through this area in the past, I did not feel the need for satnav, which would have warned me of what lay ahead.

Had known what awaited me I would have taken a different route.

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Mon 23 Jul 2018 18:47
C - M5 Roadworks - mlj2
Similarly, I am from the Black Country originally and still have to travel this route each month. I think most of the work on J1 to J2 of the M5 is not visible to drivers as it is taking place beneath the elevated sections. As a matter of routine, and this may be of use to some, I exit M5 J2 and take the A4123 to Wolverhampton. Then follow the ring road signs A449 North. This will take you directly to M6 J13 after about 8 miles or so. (from Wolves).There is a degree of stop start but it is undoubtedly quicker than the motorway you are avoiding.

Edited by mlj2 on 23/07/2018 at 18:49

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Mon 23 Jul 2018 20:20
C - M5 Roadworks - daveyjp
The vast majority of works for hardshoulder running and smalrt motorway take place away from the running lanes. You are not aware when on motorways but they are nearly all elevated to ensure a route in times of floods.

Once you start to increase loadings on the margins it all needs strengthening, culverts moving, new bridge supports etc etc.
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