West Bromwich Interchange
West Bromwich Interchange | |||
Location Map ( geo) | |||
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Location | |||
West Bromwich | |||
County | |||
Staffordshire | |||
Highway Authority | |||
National Highways | |||
Junction Type | |||
Roundabout Interchange | |||
Roads Joined | |||
M5, A41, A4252 | |||
West Bromwich Interchange is junction 1 on the M5 after leaving the M6.
History
The M5 was originally planned to use a different alignment south of West Bromwich. The lack of obvious open space between West Bromwich and Quinton led to the idea of placing the M5 above part of the Birmingham to Stourbridge railway line on a viaduct. This meant the M5 would approach the junction from the south at a higher level so the motorway was planned to pass over the junction. The junction itself would have consisted of two roundabouts. The northern roundabout would have north facing slip roads and the southern roundabout would take care of the south facing movements. What isn't clear is the link between the two roundabouts as no high resolution plans of the junction in this form have yet been found.
In 1962 the idea of the utilising the railway was abandoned when a superior route was found along a canal. The M5 would now be at a lower level and the junction was changed to a single roundabout with the motorway passing below. At this time there were no firm plans for the A41 Expressway so the roundabout would have had 5 arms. By the time the M5 was ready for construction the junction had changed to allow for the Expressway and the northwestern side of the roundabout was enlarged and this is how it was built.
A row of properties on Birmingham Road had to be demolished to make space for the roundabout. Further demolition was avoided by placing the A41 on a new alignment. Kenrick Way utilised an old tramway which used to tunnel under Birmingham Road.
Routes
Route | To | Notes |
The NORTH (M6), London (M1), N.E.C & Airport (M6) | ||
The SOUTH WEST, London (M40), Worcester | ||
Wolverhampton, West Bromwich, Dudley (A461), Walsall (A4031), Sutton Coldfield (A453), Sandwell General Hospital | ||
Birmingham, Handsworth, Hawthorns Park & Ride | ||
Smethwick, Oldbury (A4182), Sandwell & Dudley Park & Ride | ||
West Bromwich Town Centre |