M40

The aim of this scheme is to increase the capacity of M40 J12 in order to relieve congestion. Currently, a problem arises during the morning rush-hour when queues of up to 2km can form along the hard shoulder of the southbound carriageway - most of this traffic is heading for the Jaguar Landrover and Aston Martin sites at Gaydon.

The scheme involves widening and lengthening the southbound sliproad at J12 of the M40. Capacity improvements will also be made to the junction with the B4451, along with traffic control measures.

Alterations to the layout of M40 junction 10, carried out under the Pinch Point Programme. The changes will see the existing entrance to the M40 southbound closed, and all traffic joining the M40 southbound will be redirected to use what is currently the sliproad from the service area.

The works include modifications to remove the redundant sliproad, to close part of the northern roundabout at the junction, and to convert the middle roundabout (where the new on-slip will start) to a signalised junction.

This scheme aims to improve the flow of traffic from the southbound M40 onto the southbound A34 at the Wendlebury Interchange, and thus reduce the queue of traffic that builds up on the M40 southbound exit slip-road and encroaches onto the motorway at busy periods. To achieve this, the M40 southbound exit slip-road, part of the roundabout, and 600m of the southbound A34 will all be increased from two lanes to three.

The exit from the A34 northbound will also be signalised, allowing two lanes for the M40 north to be provided, as part of a second phase of the scheme.

An improvement project designed to reduce congestion without widening, which will bring Active Traffic Management (ATM) technology to large parts of the motorway network around Birmingham. The scheme involves the installation of new gantries, signage, safety fencing and associated technology on the following sections of motorway:

- M6 J4 to J5 (full ATM) 8 Km (5 miles) - M6 J8 to J10a (full ATM) 11 Km (6 miles) - M40 J16 to M42 J3a (variable speed limits only) 3 Km (2 miles) - M42 J7 to J9 (variable speed limits only) 8 Km (5 miles)

Improvement to the existing roundabout interchange (currently featured in Bad Junctions) by providing a bypass for A46 traffic. The finished layout will effectively be a three-level stacked roundabout but instead of building the A46 flyover across the existing junction, it will be built slightly to the north-west.

However, to maintain access between the new road, existing roundabout and the B4463, a roundabout is included in the south end of the A46's new mainline instead of a merge/diverge. The north end is of a more standard design.

Reconstruction of the M40/A404 junction to include expansion of the existing roundabout to include priority right-turn lanes for traffic turning between the M40 and A404, and a new left-turn lane for A404 to M40 west traffic.