Businessman blocks M42 work with diggers and cars

A businessman has used diggers and cars to obstruct contractors who are building a new junction for the M42, in a protest over disruption caused by the roadworks.

Jack Raison, who runs a car dealership in Bickenhill, near Solihull, has blocked an access road needed by the contractors as they carry out an upgrade near Junction 6.

Mr Raison said the works were causing him a financial loss because customers could no longer find his premises.

National Highways, which manages England’s motorways, said it was “disappointed” by Mr Raison’s actions and roadworks “inevitably cause some disruption”.

The government-owned company, which has contracted the upgrade work to construction company Skanska, said there were “ongoing efforts” to address Mr Raison’s concerns.

The works, which started in 2021 and are due to run until 2025, include building a new junction 5A.

Mr Raison said he was not opposed to the upgrade but it had been badly managed, with delays, last-minute road closures, and diversions that did not show up on satnav systems.

Other businessowners in the villages of Bickenhill and Hampton-in-Arden also expressed frustration.

Camilla Burton, who runs Church Farm Bed and Breakfast, said of her guests: “They often arrive quite upset, quite distressed, because they’ve either got lost or have been taken on another route.”

Mr Raison used two diggers and several cars to block the access road on Monday, having notified the police and council about his protest in advance.

He said he planned to leave to the blockade in place until National Highways and Skanska paid more attention to local concerns.

National Highways said they "fully understood" local frustrations over the roadworks, and they would “continue to liaise closely with the community and with Mr Raison to minimise that disruption as much as possible”.

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