Press release

Work begins on £2.3 million M6 improvement at Sandbach junction

A major scheme to bring improvements to the M6 at Junction 17 at Sandbach begins next week.

The £2.3 million junction improvement will be delivered to address existing problems at the junction, reducing congestion and allowing for faster journey times.

Improvements will include:

  • Constructing a new roundabout at the top of the northbound off slip road.
  • Providing a free flow link from the A534 to the M6 northbound.
  • Installing new traffic signals on the southbound off slip road.
  • Providing a designated left turn on to the M6 southbound slip road.
  • Installing new lighting, and improving drainage, surfacing, road markings and signing.

The work begins on Monday (3 November) with overnight working between 8pm and 5am each night during the week or until 7am at weekends. Some work will also need to take place during the day but will have no impact on drivers’ journeys.

The overnight work will involve some overnight closures affecting slip roads, and the A534 between Holmes Chapel Road and Congleton Road. Additionally there will be occasional overnight lane closures on the M6 with hard shoulder running while parapet work is taking place.

A temporary speed limit of 40mph on the A534 local road will be in place.

Highways Agency Project manager Jakub Malaj said:

This is a major scheme which is designed to have a significant long-term benefit for both the local and regional economy. It will address existing problems with queuing times and reduce congestion at busy periods.

There will inevitably be some disruption while this work takes place but we’re doing everything we can to keep this to a minimum.

Construction has been planned to avoid rush hours, and any closures will be taking place overnight when traffic flows are very light. Clearly signed diversions will be in place.

We ask drivers to be patient while work is underway, and to observe the speed limits and diversions for the safety of our road workers.

The M6 project is one of 123 in the Government’s £317 million ‘pinch point’ initiative – a two year programme of targeted works being delivered alongside larger schemes and routine maintenance and improvements along the strategic road network.

The pinch point programme, devised with the input of councils and local enterprise partnerships, is designed to help stimulate new development and local economic growth by improving road safety and tackling congestion bottle necks. In all, 28 projects, worth £66 million, are being delivered across the North West.

Work is expected to be completed by March 2015.

A dedicated web page – giving regular updates with free automated email alerts to updates is available.

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 31 October 2014