Work has begun on a £150m scheme on motorways around Birmingham that we see the introduction of variable speed limits and hard-shoulder running.

Two new stretches of hard-shoulder on the M6 will be opened to traffic during busy periods, while variable speed limits will be in force on parts of the M6, M42 and M40.

The work is part of a wider £6bn investment aimed at tackling motorway congestion on 500 miles of motorways across the country.

Impact on traffic during the work will be limited said Derek Turner, Highways Agency Network operations director.

"We are looking to keep all three lanes open during construction, especially during busy periods, to help limit any delays to road users.

"We will need to close the motorway for short periods but we will do this overnight and will publicise it well in advance.”

The work is expected to end late next year.