Section of M54 to close on three nights for work

Highways England first closed the road last week. But further inspection showed more maintenance work was needed between Junction 3 and Junction 2 eastbound.

As a result, a series of overnight closures has been planned for this week, with extra traffic management during the morning peak to try to keep drivers moving.

"We need to get on to the road to carry out repairs – but we don't want to close the M54 down completely as this will cause real inconvenience for drivers," Ian Askew, asset development team leader at Highways England, said.

"By closing the road overnight, we're hoping to get the bulk of the work done while most drivers are asleep. Unfortunately, there will still be a knock-on effect for drivers using this stretch of the M54 during particularly busy times – but we're doing all we can to get these emergency repairs completed without having to completely close the road."

Highways England will close the hard shoulder and lane one between Junctions 3 and 2 to allow its workers to fix the concrete. The result is that only one lane will be available during the day – so traffic capacity will be limited.

To reduce congestion during the morning peak (7am to 9am), Highways England will temporarily close the eastbound entry slip road at Junction 3.

The overnight closures start tonight at 8pm and will occur each night between 8pm and 6am until the weekend. The closure will affect the eastbound M54 carriageway between Junctions 3 and 2. The closure will be repeated overnight today, tomorrowon Wednesday, Thursday and Friday.

Highways England says it will do it all it can to fix the problem during this time, but the closures may be subject to change depending on the weather. Further work may be required over the weekend.

Drivers using the M54 today were warned to expect delays, and were urged to allow extra time for their journeys.

"We understand this situation is going to have an effect on those using the M54, and we're doing all we can to minimise the impact of these emergency repairs on your journeys," Ian Askew added.

The diversion for overnight eastbound closures is via the A41 northbound, the A5 eastbound towards Weston-under-Lizard, and the Stafford Road southbound towards the M54 to rejoin at junction 2.

For the diversion route from junction 3, drivers should follow the Solid Black Square symbol.

Traffic is advised to leave the M54 eastbound at junction 3, taking the A41 northbound to the junction with the A5 near Burlington, then onto the A5 eastbound to the Gailey roundabout, where drivers can then take the A449 southbound to re-join the M54 at J2.

Drivers who arrive at the Gailey roundabout (A5/A449) junction, intending to take the M6 northbound, may continue eastbound on the A5 which will take them to the M6 J12 near Cannock.