Motorists are being advised to plan ahead for a series of road works and carriageway closures on the A45 Small Heath Highway in Birmingham.

The surfacing works will complete the main construction on the Small Heath Highway of bus lanes and infrastructure for the priority bus route - part of a continuous route from Walsall to Solihull via Birmingham city centre.

With dedicated bus lanes and priority at junctions, Sprint is designed to offer passengers shorter journey times and greater reliability with enhanced shelters and zero-emission buses. The first cross city services along the route are expected to begin this summer.

Starting on the evening of Thursday, March 17 the surfacing works will be carried out in three stages:

• 8pm Thursday, March 17 to 6am on Tuesday, March 22 – outbound carriageway towards Birmingham Airport from Poets Corners to Heybarnes Circus will be closed to all traffic.
• 8pm Thursday, March 24 to 6am Tuesday, March 29 – inbound carriageway heading towards the city centre between Poets Corner and Bordesley Circus will be closed.
• 8pm Thursday, March 31 to 6am Tuesday, April 5– from Bordelsley Circus to Poets Corner outbound towards Birmingham airport will be closed.

On Saturday, April 2 a lane will remain open in both directions between 8am and 8pm for Birmingham City FC match day traffic.

Diversions will be in place throughout the works and people are advised to plan ahead, seek alternative routes and allow extra time for journeys.

Regular traffic updates are available via the Transport for West Midlands (TfWM) website and @wmroads on social media.

Construction of Sprint phase 1 on the A34 and A45 in Birmingham is due to finish during the spring with phase 2 works in Walsall, Sandwell and Solihull expected to follow next year.

Part of the road surfacing and maintenance work is being carried out in collaboration with Birmingham City Council to extend the life of the road and reduce the need for future works.

Sandeep Shingadia, TfWM director of development and delivery, said: “These surfacing works are a sign that we are nearing the end of construction on the A45, but unfortunately some road closures are required to complete that work.

“We apologise for any inconvenience, but would urge people to seek alternative routes, travel at off peak times or use public transport where possible and of course allow extra time during these roadworks.”