Planned road works in the North West – summary for Monday, 9 May to Sunday, 15 May 2016
The following summary of planned new and ongoing road improvements over the coming week is correct as of Friday, 6 May, 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.
M58 Junction 4 Cycle Improvement Scheme
As part of our work to improve facilities for cyclists and pedestrians over the M58 we are carrying out bridge parapet modifications. This work will require full overnight carriageway closures which include Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday of next week – 9, 10 and 11 May between 9pm and 5am on each of these nights with clearly signed diversions in place.
M6 junctions 16 to 19: Cheshire smart motorway
Work is underway for the smart motorway upgrade – typically with 1 or 2 lanes closed overnight between junctions in both directions and/or mobile lane closures along short sections of carriageway.
More information about the project is available on the project website: http://www.highways.gov.uk/roads/road-projects/m6-junctions-16-19-smart-motorway/
M6 junctions 19 to 20
A £14.5 million programme of bridge repairs and new safety barriers is underway with narrow lanes, 50 mph speed limit and use of the hard shoulder as a running lane in places. More information about the project is available on the project website at: http://www.highways.gov.uk/roads/road-projects/M6-junctions-19-20-vehicle-restraint-system-works-and-bridge-strengthening-works
M6 junction 27 to junction 29
Surfacing works have now started on the northbound and southbound carriageway. This will be undertaken Monday to Friday between the hours of 9pm and 5am, for completion in July. To facilitate the works, lane closures will be required as well as slip road closures at junction 27 only. Diversion routes will be in place.
M6 junction 34: Lancaster
Lancashire County Council work off the motorway on the Heysham Link project requires a lane 1 and hard shoulder closure in both directions on the motorway around junction 34.
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 involves overnight slip road and carriageway closures with a 50mph limit in place for the safety of workers and drivers.
The project is due to be completed in autumn 2017. A series of overnight full carriageway closures is currently taking place to install ‘superspan’ gantries across sections of the motorway. More information is available at:www.highways.gov.uk/roads/road-projects/m60-junction-8-to-m62-junction-20
M62 junctions 9 to 11
Work lasting 4 months to improve the safety barriers began in early February. Work will take place Monday to Friday between 8am and 5pm. However, there will be occasions where overnight and weekend working will be required. During the works, narrow lanes and a 50mph speed limit will apply.
On occasions, lane closures will also be required. Clearly signed diversions will be in place.
A556 Knutsford to Bowdon
A £192 million project is being carried out to create a new dual carriageway linking the M56 to the M6 in Cheshire. 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 website: http://www.highways.gov.uk/roads/road-projects/A556-Knutsford-to-Bowdon-Improvement
A56 Rising Bridge roundabout
Work has started to improve safety and reduce delays at Rising Bridge Roundabout near Haslingden. Works will be carried out daily between 10pm and 5am, and will involve single closures on A56 and Rising Bridge roundabout. Some full carriageway closures will be needed, during which times fully signed diversion routes will be in place. Works are scheduled for completion at the end of July.
A590 Greenodd
Lane 1 of the eastbound carriageway just west of Greenodd roundabout is currently closed until further notice while we undertake a survey of the embankment.
A66 Braithwaite to Portinscale safety improvements
Work to improve footpaths, cycleways, road markings and traffic signs will now start on Monday (9 May) and will last for up to 4 weeks.
Temporary traffic lights will be in place but usually between 9am and 4pm – outside peak travel times – to help reduce inconvenience to road users.
A66 Embleton
Work to reduce flood risk on a mile stretch of the A66 at Embleton began on 1 February and is expected to be completed by the end of May.
Temporary traffic lights operate 24 hours a day for the safety of crews and drivers. Full road closures in both directions will also be required on some nights between 8pm and 6am, and at some weekends.
When the road is closed, diversions for HGVs and other vehicles will be clearly signed. Drivers are advised to use the A591 and the A595. This route is not suitable for HGVs which should use the M6 and A595.
END
NOTES TO EDITORS
1. Highways England is the wholly government-owned company responsible for modernising, maintaining and operating England’s motorways and major A roads.
2. Maintenance and improvement projects: We plan maintenance and improvement projects carefully to allow road works to be completed safely, in a cost effective way while keeping disruption to road users to a minimum. We do as much work as possible overnight and when roads are less busy in order to keep more lanes open for road users at peak travel times. Drivers are advised to check their route for road works and allow extra time for their journeys where needed. We have a variety of journey planning tools that road users can use to check travel conditions on the roads we manage, and we will do all we can to keep road users informed.
3. Safety at roadworks: Highways England is working with the industry and road users to reduce the risks of working on the roads. For the safety of road workers and all road users, when you are approaching roadworks:
– Keep within the speed limit – it is there for your safety.
– Get into the correct lane in good time – don’t keep switching.
– Concentrate on the road ahead, not the roadworks.
– Be alert for works’ traffic leaving or entering roadworks.
– Keep a safe distance – there could be queues in front.
– Observe all signs – they are there to help you.
– And be alert for road workers, the roads are their workplace.
4. Real-time traffic information for England’s motorways and major A roads is available:
– From the web at www.highways.gov.uk/traffic or from a phone or mobile device at m.highways.gov.uk
– By phone from the Highways England Customer Contact Centre on 0300 123 5000 at any time. (Calls to 03 numbers are charged at no more than a national call to an 01 or 02 number and are included in all discount schemes and call allowances. This applies to all landlines, mobiles and payphones. Call costs will vary depending on your landline or mobile supplier). Make sure it’s safe and legal before you call. Before using any mobile, find a safe place to park. Never stop on the hard shoulder of a motorway except in an emergency.
– On Apple and Android mobile devices via the Apple App Store or Google Play Store.
– From Twitter – there are eight feeds with live traffic information provided by region. For information on roads in the North West follow us at @HighwaysNWEST or for the full index visit www.highways.gov.uk/twitter.
For further information please contact Neil Sterio on 07917 266779. Media enquiries out of hours should be made to Highways England’s National Press Office (24hrs) on 0844 693 1448.
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