Motorway Improvement Works to Begin

The motorway which links Manchester to North Wales is getting £12 million worth of improvements to provide better journeys for drivers.

Highways England are to carry out a series of maintenance schemes along the 28-mile-stretch of road over the next 12 months. This will include the replacement of the central reservation barrier near Warrington, revitalising a viaduct near Helsby, and resurfacing the motorway near Ellesmere Port.

The work is due to start next month to improve drainage on the section of the M56 near Manchester Airport (Junctions 6 to 8), ahead of the main construction work on a major upgrade starting this autumn which will reduce congestion and also increase the capacity of the motorway.

Due to the works, lane closures as well as reduce speed limits will be put in place along parts of the M56 for the safety of drivers, and, road workers who are following strict Public Health England safeguarding measures.

Gary Knowles, Highways England Head of Scheme Delivery in the North West said: “The M56 provides an important link between Manchester and Wales, and we need to carry out a series of maintenance improvements to keep drivers safe and support essential journeys across the region.

“The smoother road surface, better drainage and new central reservation barrier will improve safety for drivers, whether they are travelling to and from work, getting food to supermarkets or delivering medical supplies to hospitals.”

Bridge maintenance is also due to start at a junction on the A55, along the M56 which links Chester to Wrexham in North Wales.

The western bridge on the roundabout will also be closed from 9pm on Thursday 7 May until 5am on Sunday 10 May, affecting drivers heading north towards Chester on the A483. Some slip road restrictions will be needed at the junction during both weekends.

For more details on the M56 maintenance scheme, you can find more information here: www.highwaysengland.co.uk/programmes/m56-maintenance-schemes.

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