Overnight closures as motorway bridge project begins

TRANSPORT chiefs say that part of the M6 near Haydock will be closed overnight so important work on upgrading a motorway bridge can take place.

Highways England says work on the bridge, which carries the M6 over Penny Lane near Haydock will start on Friday, February 26.

Contractors will close a two-mile stretch of the southbound carriageway overnight for four nights during February and March while work takes place to waterproof and resurface the bridge. It will take around six weeks for the project to be completed.

The southbound carriageway will be closed overnight between junction 24 at Ashton-in-Makerfield and junction 23 at Newton-le-Willows. The closures are scheduled to take place as follows: Friday 26 February, between 10pm and 6am; Sunday February 28 , between 10pm and 5am; Friday March 4, between 10pm and 6am and Sunday March 6 , between 10pm and 5am.

Once the M6 carriageway re-opens, two lanes will be open with a 50mph speed limit in place. Between the hours of 8pm and 5am on each Saturday and Sunday, the main carriageway will be reduced to one lane. Further overnight lane closures will be required to complete the jointing and surfacing works for an additional two weeks.

Mark Mosley, project manager at Highways England, said: “This is essential work which will ensure the bridges remain in good shape for many years to come, and should reduce the need for future resurfacing work.

“We need to close a two mile stretch of the southbound carriageway overnight on Friday and Sunday nights during two weekends to set up and remove the traffic management cones and barriers. There will be a clearly signed diversion in place when the motorway is closed, and we are carrying out the work at times when the motorway is at its quietest to keep the impact to a minimum.

“The project may be extended if poor weather conditions prevent work from taking place.”