LIVERoadworksM42 link road from M6 J4A southbound to M42 J8 southbound — Lane closures04:56 (4:56am)LIVERoadworksM42 link road from M6 J4A southbound to M42 J8 northbound — Hard shoulder closed04:56 (4:56am)LIVERoadworksM42 northbound between J3A and J4 — Lane closures04:56 (4:56am)See all the latest news →LIVERoadworksM42 link road from M6 J4A southbound to M42 J8 southbound — Lane closures04:56 (4:56am)LIVERoadworksM42 link road from M6 J4A southbound to M42 J8 northbound — Hard shoulder closed04:56 (4:56am)LIVERoadworksM42 northbound between J3A and J4 — Lane closures04:56 (4:56am)See all the latest news →
50M42 SOUTHBOUND LINK ROAD AT J4A1 signalset 12:33 (12:33pm)Overhead MessageM42 J6-J8 CLOSED24 signsset 23:38 (11:38pm)50M42 NORTHBOUND LINK ROAD AT J4A1 signalset 12:33 (12:33pm)Overhead MessageQUEUE AHEADNorthbound, Between J5 & J6set 04:33 (4:33am)Overhead MessageWORKFORCE IN ROAD - SLOWNorthbound, 3 signsset 04:21 (4:21am)See all the overhead messages →See all the speed limit signs →50M42 SOUTHBOUND LINK ROAD AT J4A1 signalset 12:33 (12:33pm)Overhead MessageM42 J6-J8 CLOSED24 signsset 23:38 (11:38pm)50M42 NORTHBOUND LINK ROAD AT J4A1 signalset 12:33 (12:33pm)Overhead MessageQUEUE AHEADNorthbound, Between J5 & J6set 04:33 (4:33am)Overhead MessageWORKFORCE IN ROAD - SLOWNorthbound, 3 signsset 04:21 (4:21am)See all the overhead messages →See all the speed limit signs →
Live M42 traffic data from National Highways · updated 05:02 (5:02am) Tue 10 Nov 2026
M42
M42 Overhead Signs
This page shows messages from the signs National Highways publishes, which is not every sign on the road, with where each M42 sign is and which way it faces.
22 overhead message signs on the M42 are showing right now.
Checked 05:02 (5:02am) Tue 10 Nov 2026 Each message shows when National Highways last set it, and how long ago.
Two kinds of traffic information. This page shows what the overhead message signs on the M42 are displaying. Our latest traffic news shows National Highways’ incident and roadworks reports. Each can carry something the other does not, so we show both and label which is which - check both before you travel.
⚠ 11 of these messages were set more than 2 hours ago and are marked in amber. Signs can stay on after the event has passed. We take road-closed messages off our pages 12 hours, and other sign messages 2 hours, after National Highways last set them, even if the sign is still showing.
⚠ Our last check of the overhead signs was more than an hour ago, so we have hidden the sign messages until we check again.
Type part of a word - clos finds closed and closure
18 messages on this page
Road Closures on the Signs
M42M42 Motorway
M42 J6-J8 CLOSED
On the signs now Road closed
Time now: Tuesday, 10 November 2026, 05:02 (5:02am)
23:38 (11:38pm)9 Nov 2026set 5 hrs ago⚠ 5 hrs old✓ Checked by us 05:02 (5:02am)
M42 J6-J8 CLOSED
Overhead Message
WhereM42 northbound, J1 to J5 · on 14 signs
Also onAlso showing on M40 and M5 signs
SinceOn the signs since at least 21:27 (9:27pm) Mon 9 Nov 2026
ⓘWe check these overhead signs at least every five minutes, but we can't guarantee a sign is still current if an incident or issue has been cleared and the sign has not been updated yet. Signs and news can each carry something the other does not - check both before you travel.
M42 Northbound Message Signs (J1 → J9)
In junction order, in the direction of travel.
M42M42 Motorway
M42 J6-J8 CLOSED
Road closedNorthbound
21:27 (9:27pm)9 Nov 2026set 8 hrs ago⚠ 8 hrs old✓ Checked by us 05:02 (5:02am)
M42 J6-J8 CLOSED
Overhead Message
WhereM42 northbound, at J1 · on 1 sign
ⓘWe check these overhead signs at least every five minutes, but we can't guarantee a sign is still current if an incident or issue has been cleared and the sign has not been updated yet. Signs and news can each carry something the other does not - check both before you travel.
M42M42 Motorway
M42 J6-J8 CLOSED
Road closedNorthboundBetween J1 & J22 signs here
22:37 (10:37pm)9 Nov 2026set 6 hrs ago⚠ 6 hrs old✓ Checked by us 05:02 (5:02am)
M42 J6-J8 CLOSED
Overhead Message
WhereM42 northbound, at J1 · on 2 signs
ⓘWe check these overhead signs at least every five minutes, but we can't guarantee a sign is still current if an incident or issue has been cleared and the sign has not been updated yet. Signs and news can each carry something the other does not - check both before you travel.
M42M42 Motorway
M42 J6-J8 CLOSED
Road closedNorthboundAt J2
21:28 (9:28pm)9 Nov 2026set 8 hrs ago⚠ 8 hrs old✓ Checked by us 05:02 (5:02am)
M42 J6-J8 CLOSED
Overhead Message
WhereM42 northbound, at J2 · on 1 sign
ⓘWe check these overhead signs at least every five minutes, but we can't guarantee a sign is still current if an incident or issue has been cleared and the sign has not been updated yet. Signs and news can each carry something the other does not - check both before you travel.
M42M42 Motorway
M42 J6-J8 CLOSED
Road closedNorthboundBetween J2 & J32 signs here
22:37 (10:37pm)9 Nov 2026set 6 hrs ago⚠ 6 hrs old✓ Checked by us 05:02 (5:02am)
M42 J6-J8 CLOSED
Overhead Message
WhereM42 northbound, at J2 · on 2 signs
ⓘWe check these overhead signs at least every five minutes, but we can't guarantee a sign is still current if an incident or issue has been cleared and the sign has not been updated yet. Signs and news can each carry something the other does not - check both before you travel.
M42M42 Motorway
M42 J6-J8 CLOSED
Road closedNorthboundAt J3
22:13 (10:13pm)9 Nov 2026set 7 hrs ago⚠ 7 hrs old✓ Checked by us 05:02 (5:02am)
M42 J6-J8 CLOSED
Overhead Message
WhereM42 northbound, at J3 · on 1 sign
ⓘWe check these overhead signs at least every five minutes, but we can't guarantee a sign is still current if an incident or issue has been cleared and the sign has not been updated yet. Signs and news can each carry something the other does not - check both before you travel.
M42M42 Motorway
M42 J6-J8 CLOSED
Road closedNorthboundBetween J3 & J3A2 signs here
22:37 (10:37pm)9 Nov 2026set 6 hrs ago⚠ 6 hrs old✓ Checked by us 05:02 (5:02am)
M42 J6-J8 CLOSED
Overhead Message
WhereM42 northbound, at J3 · on 2 signs
ⓘWe check these overhead signs at least every five minutes, but we can't guarantee a sign is still current if an incident or issue has been cleared and the sign has not been updated yet. Signs and news can each carry something the other does not - check both before you travel.
M42M42 Motorway
M42 J6-J8 CLOSED
Road closedNorthboundAt J3A
22:37 (10:37pm)9 Nov 2026set 6 hrs ago⚠ 6 hrs old✓ Checked by us 05:02 (5:02am)
M42 J6-J8 CLOSED
Overhead Message
WhereM42 northbound, at J3A · on 1 sign
ⓘWe check these overhead signs at least every five minutes, but we can't guarantee a sign is still current if an incident or issue has been cleared and the sign has not been updated yet. Signs and news can each carry something the other does not - check both before you travel.
M42M42 Motorway
M42 J6-J8 closed
Road closedNorthboundBetween J3A & J4
21:28 (9:28pm)9 Nov 2026set 8 hrs ago⚠ 8 hrs old✓ Checked by us 05:02 (5:02am)
M42 J6-J8 CLOSED
Overhead Message
WhereM42 northbound, at J3A · on 1 sign
ⓘWe check these overhead signs at least every five minutes, but we can't guarantee a sign is still current if an incident or issue has been cleared and the sign has not been updated yet. Signs and news can each carry something the other does not - check both before you travel.
M42M42 Motorway
M42 J6-J8 closed
Road closedNorthboundAt J4
21:28 (9:28pm)9 Nov 2026set 8 hrs ago⚠ 8 hrs old✓ Checked by us 05:02 (5:02am)
M42 J6-J8 CLOSED
Overhead Message
WhereM42 northbound, at J4 · on 1 sign
ⓘWe check these overhead signs at least every five minutes, but we can't guarantee a sign is still current if an incident or issue has been cleared and the sign has not been updated yet. Signs and news can each carry something the other does not - check both before you travel.
M42M42 Motorway
M42 J6-J8 CLOSED
Road closedNorthboundLink road at J4A
21:28 (9:28pm)9 Nov 2026set 8 hrs ago⚠ 8 hrs old✓ Checked by us 05:02 (5:02am)
M42 J6-J8 CLOSED
Overhead Message
WhereM42 northbound, at J4A · on 1 sign
ⓘWe check these overhead signs at least every five minutes, but we can't guarantee a sign is still current if an incident or issue has been cleared and the sign has not been updated yet. Signs and news can each carry something the other does not - check both before you travel.
M42M42 Motorway
M42 J6-J8 closed
Road closedNorthboundJ5 exit slip
21:28 (9:28pm)9 Nov 2026set 8 hrs ago⚠ 8 hrs old✓ Checked by us 05:02 (5:02am)
M42 J6-J8 CLOSED
Overhead Message
WhereM42 northbound, at J5 · on 1 sign
ⓘWe check these overhead signs at least every five minutes, but we can't guarantee a sign is still current if an incident or issue has been cleared and the sign has not been updated yet. Signs and news can each carry something the other does not - check both before you travel.
M42M42 Motorway
Queue ahead
WarningNorthboundBetween J5 & J6
04:33 (4:33am)10 Nov 2026set 28 min ago✓ Checked by us 05:02 (5:02am)
QUEUE AHEAD
Overhead Message
WhereM42 northbound, at J5 · on 1 sign
ⓘWe check these overhead signs at least every five minutes, but we can't guarantee a sign is still current if an incident or issue has been cleared and the sign has not been updated yet. Signs and news can each carry something the other does not - check both before you travel.
M42M42 Motorway
Workforce in road - SLOW
WarningNorthboundBetween J5 & J63 signs here
04:21 (4:21am)10 Nov 2026set 40 min ago✓ Checked by us 05:02 (5:02am)
WORKFORCE IN ROAD - SLOW
Overhead Message
WhereM42 northbound, at J5 · on 3 signs
ⓘWe check these overhead signs at least every five minutes, but we can't guarantee a sign is still current if an incident or issue has been cleared and the sign has not been updated yet. Signs and news can each carry something the other does not - check both before you travel.
M42M42 Motorway
To J10 Tamworth 6 miles 7 mins
Journey timeNorthbound
03:28 (3:28am)10 Nov 2026set 2 hrs ago✓ Checked by us 05:02 (5:02am)
TO J10 TAMWORTH 6 MILES 7 MINS
Overhead Message
WhereM42 northbound, at J9 · on 1 sign
ⓘWe check these overhead signs at least every five minutes, but we can't guarantee a sign is still current if an incident or issue has been cleared and the sign has not been updated yet. Signs and news can each carry something the other does not - check both before you travel.
M42 Southbound Message Signs (J10 → J5)
In junction order, in the direction of travel.
M42M42 Motorway
J8 5 MINS J6 10 MINS J5 15 MINS
Journey timeSouthboundBetween J10 & J9
04:51 (4:51am)10 Nov 2026set 10 min ago✓ Checked by us 05:02 (5:02am)
J8 5 MINS J6 10 MINS J5 15 MINS
Overhead Message
WhereM42 southbound, at J10 · on 1 sign
ⓘWe check these overhead signs at least every five minutes, but we can't guarantee a sign is still current if an incident or issue has been cleared and the sign has not been updated yet. Signs and news can each carry something the other does not - check both before you travel.
M42M42 Motorway
J8 4 MINS J6 10 MINS J5 14 MINS
Journey timeSouthboundBetween J10 & J9
04:49 (4:49am)10 Nov 2026set 12 min ago✓ Checked by us 05:02 (5:02am)
J8 4 MINS J6 10 MINS J5 14 MINS
Overhead Message
WhereM42 southbound, at J10 · on 1 sign
ⓘWe check these overhead signs at least every five minutes, but we can't guarantee a sign is still current if an incident or issue has been cleared and the sign has not been updated yet. Signs and news can each carry something the other does not - check both before you travel.
M42M42 Motorway
800 yards
MessageSouthboundBetween J5 & J4
04:41 (4:41am)10 Nov 2026set 20 min ago✓ Checked by us 05:02 (5:02am)
800 YARDS
Overhead Message
WhereM42 southbound, at J5 · on 1 sign
ⓘWe check these overhead signs at least every five minutes, but we can't guarantee a sign is still current if an incident or issue has been cleared and the sign has not been updated yet. Signs and news can each carry something the other does not - check both before you travel.
Nothing on the signs matches those filters. Reset filters to see every message again.
Source: National Highways’ overhead message signs, as at 05:02 (5:02am) Tue 10 Nov 2026. This page shows the messages on the M42. Powered by National Highways’ Transport Data Feeds.
Why the M42 has so many signs
The M42 between Junction 3A (the M40) and Junction 7 (the M6) was the pilot for Active Traffic Management. It went live in 2006 with mandatory variable speed limits, hard shoulder running, better driver information signs and a new incident management system. Because it worked, the system was later extended north to Junction 9, onto the M6 as far as its Junction 5, and onto the approach to the M42 at the northern end of the M40.
Between the M5 and Junction 3A, and north of Junction 9 towards Tamworth, the M42 is outside that managed section.
What the signs are used for
Message signs warn of queues, closed lanes, incidents and weather ahead, and give journey information. Speed roundels are shown separately on M42 speed limits now. A red X over a lane means the lane is closed and must not be used.
How busy the signed stretch is
The four main-line stretches from Junction 3A to Junction 7 are the busiest on the road. The Department for Transport’s 2025 counts average about 126,000 vehicles a day across them:
M42 Overhead Signs: vehicles a day, stretch by stretch
J3A to J4 is counted at two points; we show the busier one. The other recorded 125,023.
Where the managed section starts and ends
Northbound, the variable speed limit starts at Junction 3A, where the M40 meets the M42, and ends just after the Junction 9 area, where the signs point to Coleshill and Kingsbury. In between are the Shirley, Solihull, airport and NEC junctions and the links to the M6, so most of the signs on this page face traffic on that part of the road.
A sign is not the whole story
A message on a sign is a snapshot of what the control centre is warning about at that moment. For the full list of incidents and works on the M42 see the latest M42 traffic news.
Traffic count figures on this page are from the Department for Transport road traffic statistics, 2025.
M42traffic.co.uk covers the M42 from the M5 at Bromsgrove to the A42 at Appleby Magna, past Solihull, the NEC, Birmingham Airport and Tamworth. It links to the M40, M6 and M5 — sister sites in the same network.M42traffic.co.uk covers the M42 from the M5 at Bromsgrove to the A42 at Appleby Magna, past Solihull, the NEC, Birmingham Airport and Tamworth. It links to the M40, M6 and M5 — sister sites in the same network.
