Thursday, March 28, 2024
HomeYour VillageLickey End‘No alternative’ to 26hr M42 closure, says police chief

‘No alternative’ to 26hr M42 closure, says police chief

-

Police had no choice but to close the M42 for 26 hours while they talked a man off the road bridge at Lickey End, according to a senior officer.

As roads returned to normal after a weekend of heavy traffic through villages and a logjam in Bromsgrove, Chief Supt Martin Evans said people were asking why it took so long.

“There are many who will be asking why we could not bring this to a conclusion more quickly and they will be wondering what methods we have at our disposal,” he said tonight.

“I would like to reassure them, the only realistic way of resolving this was through a great deal of careful negotiation and patience.”

The M42 and the A38 at Lickey End were closed at 12.45pm yesterday after the man climbed over railings on the bridge.

Police negotiators were able to bring the incident to a safe conclusion at 2.50pm today and the man was detained under the Mental Health Act. He is now in a local hospital receiving treatment.

Chief Supt Evans, representing the Central Motorway Police Group and West Mercia Police, said: “We would like to apologise to all motorists and local people who experienced significant disruption as a result of this incident.

“We would also like to thank members of the public and the local community for their continued patience, understanding and compassion.

“The threat of harm to both the individual concerned and to vehicles driving on the M42 was so significant, there was no alternative but to close the motorway and for it to remain closed until the incident had run its course.

“We strive to resolve such matters as quickly as possible, but our number one priority is to put the safety of everyone concerned first and to protect life, even if it does take many hours.”