HS2 Works: M42 Weekend Closure (18th – 21st Sept)

Ongoing HS2 works mean that closures are planned on the M42 over the weekend which will impact visitors attending our site, including customers to A Place in the Sun, VexPo, Hugglets TEDDIES Festival, Peppa Pig Space Adventure and Andre Rieu. 

While access to the NEC remains open, some routes will be operating differently, particularly when leaving the site.  

Getting to the NEC  

As part of the continuing HS2 works, the M42 Northbound and Southbound will be closed from Junctions 6–9  from 9:00pm on Friday 18th September 2026 until 6:00am on Monday 21st September 2026.  

Access to the NEC remains open, although the following diversions have been put in place:    

• If you are travelling via the M6, please leave the motorway at Junction 4, follow the A446 to the NEC, following local signage. 
• If you are travelling via the M42 Southbound, please leave the motorway at Junction 9, follow the A446 to the NEC, following local signage. 
• Entry to the NEC from M42 Northbound at J6 and A45 Coventry Road remain open, but there may be a slight diversion onto the A45 dependant on traffic levels. Queues are likely.
• For more information on the diversion routes please see the HS2 website. 

Leaving the NEC  

Ongoing HS2 works and current traffic restrictions at M42 Junction 6 means that customers will only be able to leave campus via the Northway and Eastway, which do not take you immediately back to the M42.

Clearly signed diversion routes will be in place to guide you. 

Plan Ahead

We recommend allowing a little extra time for your journey, particularly when leaving the venue after the event. Traffic management measures and diversion routes are in place to help keep visitors moving, and our teams are working closely with National Highways and local partners to minimise disruption.  

For more information please see:  
 
National Highways website 

HS2 website