Drivers warned of three-week A46 closure

Drivers are being warned of a three-week closure for HS2 works in Warwickshire that is due to start on Friday.

The A46 will shut near Kenilworth to allow the installation of a 14,500-tonne box structure, which is set to carry the rail line under the road.

A section of the road will be closed in both directions between the A45 Festival roundabout and A452 Thickthorn roundabout from 20:00 BST.

It is due to reopen on 1 May. National Highways West Midlands said diversions would be in place, but it expected delays.

It asked drivers to plan ahead and allow extra time for journeys.

For HGVs and long-distance traffic the diversion will be via the M40, M42 and M6, while local traffic diversions will be via the A452, A445, A423 and A45.

A number of residents and commuters have told the BBC they are "dreading" the closure, due to the importance of the A46 to local traffic.

Craig Corbett, who runs the Malt Shovel pub in the village, said a previous closure meant he lost about £1,500 compared with a typical weekend.

He said he feared the three-week closure would be even more damaging to his business.

Susannah Chalmers, who has lived in Bubbenhall since 2010, said: "Already we're finding there's increased traffic flow through the village".

She said the ongoing HS2 work meant it had effectively been turned into a "rat run".

"It's really not suitable, because the lanes are so narrow," she said. "People are going at such a ridiculous speed."

She said the full closure of the A46 would be a "complete nightmare".

Follow BBC Coventry & Warwickshire on BBC Sounds, Facebook, X and Instagram.