Drivers have been told to expect delays and allow extra time for travel later this month as the M56 will close for an entire weekend.
All lanes will be completely closed between junctions 9 to 5 eastbound (towards Manchester) and junctions 5 to 8 westbound. Highways England made the announcement, citing that the reasons for the closure was to carry out key works, including installing superspan gantries on both sides of the motorway.
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For the works to be carried out safely, the M56 will be closed for a full weekend - from 9pm on Friday March 25 to 5.30am the following Monday, March 28.
Highways England said the decision to close for an entire weekend was so that the various works could be carried out as quickly as possible, and to therefore avoid any other separate overnight closures. They added that the decision to close at the end of March was to minimise disruption for motorists as there are no major sporting fixtures and it’s also ahead of the Easter holidays.
See full details about the full closures and subsequent diversions here.
There are two diversion routes in place, for those travelling both eastbound and westbound, with drivers told to expect around 30 minutes extra time to be added to their journeys before rejoining the motorway. For those travelling eastbound, drivers will be guided off the carriageway at junction 9, before travelling along the M6, the M62 to junction 12, then M60 to junction 5 before rejoining the M56 at junction 5. This will take around 30 extra minutes.
And for those driving westbound, they will join the M56 at junction 5, before merging onto the M60 until junction 12 and then going off onto the M62 at junction 10. The M6 is then joined up until junction 20A when drivers will meet back at the M56 junction and continue their journey.
An update from Highways England added: "Delays are expected. Before travelling plan ahead and allow extra time to complete your journey. We appreciate the closure will have an impact on road users travelling over the weekend and apologise for any inconvenience this may cause."
To get the latest email updates from the Manchester Evening News, click here.
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