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THE M5 northbound may not open until 2pm today as the roadworks misery deepens.

The roadworks northbound between junctions five and four were due to stop at 6am but are likely to continue until after 9am.

Highways England have just stated that 'due to crane breakdowns the M5 J5-4a is not expected to open until 2pm this afternoon'.

Traffic is already building between junctions five (Droitwich) and six (Worcester) say Highways England.

One driver on the A449 heading between Stourbridge and Worcester described the road as being like a 'car park' and said it was 'the worst he had ever seen it'.

He said: "Traffic is queueing back to the Mitre Oak."

Our readers expressed their frustration on Facebook.

Tim Grazier said: "2 hours 45 minutes to get from Malvern to Halesowen, normally 40 minute journey. How can they get it so wrong?"

Duncan J Fulker said: "An hour sat by npower/sixways."

Dannyy Brill said: "Chaos on the roads around j6 as well... No way to go without."

 

A spokesperson for the Central Motorway Police Group said the estimated opening of the M5 north would be between 9am and 10am.

They said: "To add to the misery, A38 Rubery by-pass (J4 M5 to Rubery) closed in both directions. I was hoping for a better start than yesterday,but,roadworks overrunning M5 north 5-4a."

The misery was compounded when a lane of the southbound M5 was also closed according to the CMPG, causing delays between junctions four and five.

The very slow traffic northbound is due to over running roadworks between J5 A38 (Droitwich / Wychbold) and J4A M42.

This has resulted in congestion on M5 to J6 A449 / A4440 Warndon Way / A4538 Pershore Lane (Worcester). In the roadworks area travel time is around 100 minutes.

The overnight closure was due to finish at 6am. However, the closure may be in place until after 9am.