Severe overnight flooding closed both directions of the A4545 between the M42 and the A45 on 7–8 February 2026, cutting a primary road link to Birmingham Airport and causing hours-long tailbacks. National Highways confirmed early on Sunday morning that specialist pumps were on site but gave no reopening estimate.
The timing is unfortunate: the February school half-term is one of the airport’s busiest weeks, and many holiday-makers risk missing flights. Airlines have urged passengers to allow extra journey time, while some tour operators arranged emergency coaches from alternative drop-off points.
For corporate mobility teams the incident underscores the vulnerability of “last-mile” surface access to UK regional airports. Employers with staff transiting Birmingham should consider same-day rail options via Birmingham International station or re-routing through East Midlands or Manchester where feasible.
![Flooding Near Birmingham Airport Shuts A4545, Snarling Half-Term Travel]()
Travel managers balancing these reroutings with complex entry requirements can streamline the paperwork side by using VisaHQ’s digital visa and passport solutions; its UK portal (https://www.visahq.com/united-kingdom/) offers up-to-date information and expedited processing for over 200 destinations, helping ensure that any last-minute shift to alternative airports still aligns with the correct travel documents.
The closure also highlights a growing climate-risk dimension to business travel planning. The West Midlands has recorded five significant flood-related road closures in the past twelve months. Companies may wish to integrate National Highways alerts into travel-risk dashboards and verify that airport hotel contingencies are in place for time-critical departures.
Local businesses report delivery delays and staffing shortages as alternative routes clog. With heavy rain forecast to continue into the week, National Highways advises motorists to check live updates and avoid the area if possible.
The timing is unfortunate: the February school half-term is one of the airport’s busiest weeks, and many holiday-makers risk missing flights. Airlines have urged passengers to allow extra journey time, while some tour operators arranged emergency coaches from alternative drop-off points.
For corporate mobility teams the incident underscores the vulnerability of “last-mile” surface access to UK regional airports. Employers with staff transiting Birmingham should consider same-day rail options via Birmingham International station or re-routing through East Midlands or Manchester where feasible.
Travel managers balancing these reroutings with complex entry requirements can streamline the paperwork side by using VisaHQ’s digital visa and passport solutions; its UK portal (https://www.visahq.com/united-kingdom/) offers up-to-date information and expedited processing for over 200 destinations, helping ensure that any last-minute shift to alternative airports still aligns with the correct travel documents.
The closure also highlights a growing climate-risk dimension to business travel planning. The West Midlands has recorded five significant flood-related road closures in the past twelve months. Companies may wish to integrate National Highways alerts into travel-risk dashboards and verify that airport hotel contingencies are in place for time-critical departures.
Local businesses report delivery delays and staffing shortages as alternative routes clog. With heavy rain forecast to continue into the week, National Highways advises motorists to check live updates and avoid the area if possible.
