Aston Expressway work likely to have significant effect on navigation

WORK on the Aston Expressway will most likely prove to have a significant effect on navigation.

Five years to complete

The government has agreed to fund £93m required to repair and strengthen the Aston Expressway A38(m) that will take five year to complete, Roger Fox reports.

This work will most likely have a significant effect on the Tame Valley Canal and the Birmingham & Fazeley Canal (junction pictured) that the motorway crosses with a further junction with the Grand Union Canal nearby.

The work will be on the northern section of the expressway where it connects with what is known as Spaghetti Junction and the M6 motorway at the key Tame Valley Viaduct that carries an estimated 80,000 vehicles a day.

Work starts next year

Without the government funding, the viaduct would need both weight and width restrictions within a few years and possibly face closure. Work is due to start next year.

With such major work over the waterways, this can only result in restrictions to navigations and even closures.