Press release

Planned roadworks in the North West – summary for Monday 23 to Sunday 29 March

The following summary of planned new and ongoing road improvements over the coming week is correct as of Friday 20 March and could be subject to change due to weather conditions or unforeseen circumstances. All our improvement work is carried out with the aim of causing as little disruption as possible.

M6 Junction 16 Crewe and Junction 18 Holmes Chapel

Work is taking place to repair two bridges, which carry Congleton Road and Betchton Road over the M6. Lane closures and a 50mph limit will be in place along sections of the M6 while the work is taking place. The scheme is due to be completed by May. More information on this project is available on the project pages.

M6 Junction 17 Sandbach

A major project is being carried out to reduce congestion and allow for faster journey times through junction 17 of the M6, including building a new roundabout and a new link road from the A534 to the M6. Work is taking place overnight between 8pm and 5am during the week, and until 7am at weekends. Some lane closures will also be in place, along with a 40mph speed limit on the A534. The project is due to be completed by the end of March. More information is available on the project pages.

M6 Junction 23 St Helens

A scheme is taking place to tackle congestion at the M6 junction with the A580 East Lancs Road near St Helens. Some overnight closures of the junction will be required while the work is carried out, and a temporary 50mph speed limit is currently in place on the slip roads. The project is due to be completed by the end of March. More information is available on the project pages.

M6 Junction 26 Orrell

A major project is taking place at Orrell Interchange, which will see extra lanes and traffic lights added to the junction with the M58 and the A577. The majority of the work is taking place overnight or at weekends. The scheme is due to be completed by the end of March. More information is available on the project pages.

M6 Junction 32 Broughton Interchange

A project is being carried out to reduce congestion around the motorway junction which connects the M6 to the Blackpool-bound M55. There will be narrow lanes, plus some overnight slip road and carriageway closures until the project is completed by the end of March. More information is available on the project pages.

Junction 35 Carnforth

A scheme is taking place to install four electronic message signs and CCTV cameras near junction 35 of the M6. Lane one of the motorway will be closed during the work, and lane two will also be closed overnight towards the end of the project. The new signs and cameras are due to be switched on by the end of March.

3 Junction 2 Moreton

A project is taking place to upgrade the section of the M53 at junction 2, removing weight restrictions and reinstating lanes. The southbound exit and entry slip roads will close to all traffic during the scheme. The northbound slip roads will also need to be closed overnight at times and there will be at least two full weekend closures of the main motorway carriageway to allow the bridges to be removed and replaced safely. A 50mph speed limit and narrow lanes will be in place. More information is available on the project pages.

M56 Junction 7 Altrincham

A project is underway to add an extra lane to the eastbound side of the M56 at junction 7 to ease the flow of traffic onto the motorway. Narrow lanes and a 50mph speed limit are in place while the work is being carried out. Some overnight closures of lanes and the eastbound carriageway will also be required during the scheme. It is due to be completed by the end of March. More information is available on the project pages.

M56 Junction 11 Daresbury

A major project is taking place to tackle congestion at junction 11 of the M56 near Daresbury. Clearly signed diversions will be in place when roads are closed. The project is due to be completed by the end of March.

M60 Junction 8 Sale to M62 Junction 20 Rochdale

A major scheme is taking place to cut congestion and improve journey times on parts of the M60 and the M62 in Greater Manchester. The scheme will require some overnight closures affecting the full carriageway and slip roads, with a 50mph limit in place for the safety of workers and drivers. The project is due to be completed in Autumn 2017. More information is available on the project pages.

M65 Junction 4 Blackburn to Junction 10 Burnley

A project is taking place to replace lane markings and reflective road studs along sections of the M65. The lighting at the junction 8 slip roads and roundabout is also being repaired, and the project is due to be completed by the end of March.

M65 Junction 5 Shadsworth

A project is taking place to tackle congestion at junction 5 of the M65 by installing of traffic lights at the roundabout and improving the layout of the junction. The majority of the work will take place between 9.30am and 3.30pm during weekdays, and between 10pm and 5am at weekends. Some lane closures and the eventual full closure of the roundabout, including the approach roads, will be required and publicised in advance. The project is due to be completed by the end of March. More information is available on the project pages.

A55/A483 Roundabout, Chester

Drivers travelling between Chester and Wrexham are being urged to avoid the roundabout that links the A55 to the A483 while work takes place to upgrade the junction. There are currently lane closures on the roundabout, which are causing significant delays. Drivers travelling to and from the southern part of Chester are being encouraged to use the A534 and the A41 while the lane closures are in place. Drivers heading to and from the northern part of the city can use the A550, A55, A494 and M56 as an alternative route. The scheme is due to be completed in May. More information is available on the project pages.

A556 Bowdon to Knutsford

A £192 million project is being carried out to create a new dual carriageway linking the M56 to the M6 in Cheshire. A mile-long section of the existing A556 will be upgraded from junction 7 of the M56 near Bowdon before breaking away to the west, bypassing the village centres of Bucklow Hill, Mere and Over Tabley. It will then join up with junction 19 of the M6 near Knutsford. A temporary 40mph speed limit is currently in place between Bucklow Hill and Bowdon, and the new dual carriageway is expected to open in Winter 2016/17. More information is available on the project pages.

A585 Windy Harbour

A major scheme is taking place to improve the A585 crossroads at Garstang New Road, Fleetwood Road and Windy Harbour near Blackpool. The scheme will involve the realignment and widening of the existing crossroads to create extra lanes through the junction. There will be a compulsory 30mph speed limit along a mile of the A585 and a short section of the A586, with temporary traffic lights in place. Work is expected to be completed by the end of March. More information is available on the project pages.

A590 between M6 Junction 36 South Lakes and Brettargh Holt roundabout

A 24-hour lane closure is in place on the westbound side of the A590 while work takes place to install a new electronic message sign. The scheme is due to be completed by the end of March.

A595 Whitehaven

Work is taking place to install traffic lights at the A595 junction with Mirehouse Road in Whitehaven. Temporary traffic lights will be in use between 9.30am and 3.30pm while the work is carried out, and the project is due to be completed by the end of March.

A5036 Seaforth

A new road is being built through the centre of a roundabout near Liverpool Docks to ease congestion in the area. The two lane westbound road will mean traffic heading towards the docks on the A5036 will no longer need to go around the Bridge Road roundabout. Traffic lights are also being installed, and the road is being resurfaced. Lane closures are currently in place leading up to and on the roundabout between 8am and 5pm. The project is due to be completed by the end of March. More information is available on the project pages.

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.

Published 20 March 2015