Motorists have been warned to expect "hugely disruptive" closures of the M42 and M6 this summer with HS2 construction hitting its "peak". 

That was the warning from a Warwickshire County Council director in an update to elected officials at this week's communities overview and scrutiny committee.

Director of infrastructure, planning and environment Steve Smith warned that a number of motorway closures are set to be announced after May's local elections with new or reconfigured roads getting connected to the existing network.

He acknowledged "very strong feedback" from councillors on the overall impact of HS2 and its construction on neighbouring communities.

"I think it is safe to say we are at a peak," he told councillors.

"When you are visiting in and around Warwickshire or just beyond our boundaries you can see just how much is happening.

"That is now being reflected in the amount of road closures because they are starting to tie in the infrastructure that they are building offline to building online, into our road network, whether that is bridges or underpasses.

"There was a major closure of the A446 (near Coleshill and Water Orton) not that long ago to move the viaducts over that road.

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"There are a lot of diversions happening and they always get contentious because not every motorist follows them and that does create a huge amount of noise locally from communities and residences.

"There is a lot going on. Over the summer there is going to be even more, a number of weekend closures on the M42 and the M6 as well, those are going to be communicated once the election period is over – we'll get more detail early May. 

"Hugely disruptive in between junctions six and nine of the M42, a very busy area and that will entail local diversions on our roads so we are going to be hugely busy over the summer as a lot of these new assets come online throughout 2026."

Mr Smith also noted that HS2 is looking at how to deal with issues with spoil heaps "giving off foul odours", "particularly in North Warwickshire".

"Burying it is the answer to that but they are starting to put a plan together," he added.

He also noted that the condition of roads pounded by construction traffic had been raised "regularly" with "very modest" sums of money paid to the council alongside resurfacing schemes done by HS2 but added: "Road deterioration is high on the list."

Cllr Jonathan Chilvers noted the report highlighted 10 outstanding road damage claims to the value of £1.7 million and asked: "Is it difficult to get that money out of them or are they playing ball?"

Mr Smith replied: "It has been raised again with the construction minister that they are long overdue and we are pushing on that."

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Head of infrastructure of sustainable communities Garry Palmer said HS2 had responded to some of those claims but that they had taken "about 30 months" from initial submission to come through.

"We are hoping to get the rest of them soon," he said.