£2.8m safety boost for M56 at Lymm
A £2.86m Highways Agency project to provide a new concrete safety barrier along the M56 around Lymm in Cheshire will get underway at the weekend.
About half a mile of the eastbound and westbound carriageways of the motorway between junction 8 at Bowdon View and junction 9 at Lymm will benefit from the project with the ageing steel central reservation barrier replaced with a concrete one.
Concrete barriers are safer, stronger and more robust and are unlikely to require repairs after vehicle impact.
Drainage improvements and carriageway resurfacing will also be taking place with the project due to start on Monday (25 March) with preparatory work – including lane three closures of the carriageway in both directions – starting this Saturday (23 March). The work is due to be completed by Friday 16 May.
The motorway will remain open at all times but with a lane three closure throughout the project. Lane two of the carriageway in each direction will also close overnight throughout the project. Drivers will be able to use the hard shoulder as a running lane throughout the work.
A 50mph speed limit will be in place past the roadworks for the safety of road workers and motorway users.
Highways Agency project sponsor John Lyssejko said:
The current steel safety barrier needs replacing and we are installing a concrete safety barrier as these are safer and need less maintenance.
While we are working in the central reservation will also be taking the opportunity to do other works such as drainage improvements and resurfacing which will also provide safer and smoother journeys for users of this busy section of the M56.
General enquiries
Members of the public should contact the Highways Agency Information Line on 0300 123 5000
Media enquiries
Journalists should contact the Highways Agency press office on 0844 693 1448 and use the menu to speak to the most appropriate press officer