N.E.C
Smart Motorway gantry sign
A gantry structure spanning the motorway with electronic signals, blue signs showing the left two lanes exiting and the other two continuing ahead, and the following text.
Left-hand two lanes destinations: M42 ; The NORTH (M1); London (S & W) (M40); Birmingham (S); [Railway station symbol] [Airport symbol] N.E.C; .
Right-hand two lanes destinations: M6 ; London (N & E) (M1); Coventry.
Junction number: 4A.
We've emerged from Birmingham, blinking in the daylight, and immediately arrive at a whole series of interchanges around Coleshill linking the M6 with the M42 and M6 Toll. They are now threaded through with the tracks of HS2 as well.