Press release

M6 speed limit returns to 70mph near Sandbach

Drivers will soon be able to travel at up to 70 miles per hour again along a 2.5 mile stretch of the M6 near Sandbach following the completion of a project to repair two bridges.

From:
Highways England
Published
14 August 2015

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Contractors for Highways England began work on the bridges in January this year and a 50mph limit was introduced for safety reasons, due to the temporary narrow lanes on the motorway.

The northbound carriageway will be closed overnight, between 10pm and 6am, on Tuesday 18 August between junction 16 at Crewe and junction 18 at Middlewich to remove the roadworks, including the temporary 50mph signs.

The southbound carriageway will then be closed overnight between the same junctions on Thursday 20 August to complete the scheme.

The repairs to the bridges, which carry the A534 Congleton Road and Betchton Road over the M6, focused on remodelling the support structures to reduce the need for maintenance and repair work in the future, which can disrupt drivers’ journeys.

Mark Mosley, Project Manager at Highways England, said:

We would like to thank drivers for their patience while we carried out essential work to these two bridges over the M6, which will extend their life and reduce future maintenance and repair visits.

We needed to introduce a temporary 50mph speed limit for the safety of drivers and our workers, but this can now be lifted as the scheme has been completed. We’ll need to close the northbound and then the southbound carriageways over two nights so that we can safely remove the roadworks.

Drivers will be able to follow clearly-signed diversion routes when the motorway is closed, and are being encouraged to allow extra time for their journeys. Road users can also check the latest conditions before setting off at Traffic England.

General enquiries

Members of the public should contact the Highways England customer contact centre on 0300 123 5000.

Media enquiries

Journalists should contact the Highways England press office on 0844 693 1448 and use the menu to speak to the most appropriate press officer.

Published 14 August 2015