Roadworks will mean drivers to be hit by delays
CLOSURES and roadworks across Manchester and Cheshire over the coming week are set to hit both commuters and holidaymakers.
Work to upgrade sections of the M60, M6 and M62 to Smart motorways are ongoing but new works on the M6, plus bridge repairs on the M60, are now being added into the mix.
The M60 bridge maintenance works are taking place at junction 17 between 10pm and 5am.
The work, which includes replacement of road markings, anti-skid renewal and resurfacing, is due to last another four weeks.
Highways England say details of these new and ongoing road improvements are correct – but could change depending on weather conditions or unforeseen circumstances.
There will be roadworks at:
M6 junctions 16 to 19 (Cheshire smart motorway)
Work is underway to upgrade the M6 to a Smart motorway between Crewe and Knutsford, converting the hard shoulder to an extra lane and introducing new variable speed limits. Narrow lanes and a temporary 50mph speed limit are in place for the safety of drivers and workers.
M6 junction 21a/M62 junction 10 (Croft
Interchange)
Construction work is taking place on a major project to tackle congestion and improve the flow of traffic between the M6 and M62 at Croft Interchange. A 50mph speed limit, backed by average speed cameras, will be in place along main carriageways of both the M6 and M62 and interchange link roads.
M6 Gathurst Viaduct (junction 26 to junction 27)
Preliminary work in a four-month project to resurface and repair the bridge and to install emergency escape barriers started on August 4). Occasional full carriageway and frequent lane closures will be needed throughout the project but will be used during overnight periods only. The hard shoulders will be used to keep three lanes running in each direction during the day. From September a contraflow system and 40mph speed limit will in place for the final three months of the scheme.
M6 Junction 29 roundabout
An overnight – Monday to Friday, 8pm to 5am – maintenance programme at the roundabout started on July 31. As well as resurfacing, the work includes renewal of traffic sensor cables, road markings and bridge joints. The work is expected to take four weeks and involves working along small sections of the roundabout each night. At times, this work will affect access to the roundabout including slip roads onto and from the motorway. Localised signed diversion route will be in place.
M60 junction 8 to M62 junction 20 (Sale to Rochdale)
A major smart motorway scheme is taking place to cut congestion and improve journey times on parts of the M60 and the M62 in Greater Manchester. The scheme involves overnight slip road and carriageway closures, with road and carriageway closures, with narrow lanes and a temporary 50mph speed limit in place for the safety of drivers and road workers.
M60 junction 17
Overnight – 10pm to 5am – bridge maintenance at the roundabout with the A56 Bury New Road started on July 31 and will last five weeks.
The works include replacement of road markings, anti-skid renewal and resurfacing. At times, the roundabout will be affected by lane closures or full closures of sections, including slip roads, with signed diversion routes in place when needed.
A550/A540 Two Mills junction
A seven-month scheme to deliver junction improvements, including new facilities for cyclists, started last month at the Welsh Road/ Parkgate Road junction. All the work will be done overnight – between 8pm and 5am, Monday to Friday – using full carriageway closures. The work will be localised with clearlysigned local diversions in place.
A56 - A679 Burnley Road to Rising Bridge roundabout
Overnight – 8pm to 5am, Monday to Friday - work to resurface the carriageway and paint new road markings has been extended into September to deliver more improvements. This includes electrical repairs which will start for two weeks from Monday (7 August). This, and the resurfacing work, involves nightly closures of either carriageway between 8pm and 5am on weekdays only. Clearly-signed diversions will be in place.
A556 Knutsford to Bowdon link road
Work is now well underway to convert the old A556 (Chester Road) between the M6 and M56 into a single carriageway B road – the B5569 – with a green corridor for cyclists, pedestrians and horse riders. Millington Lane closed at the new bridge for two weeks from July 31 for finishing works.
Highways England says all improvement work is carried out with the aim of causing as little disruption as possible.
Drivers looking for road works information, such as overnight carriageway closures, for individual schemes should visit trafficengland.com.