A planned closure of a stretch of the M53 in Ellesmere Port this weekend (Friday August 21 to Monday August 24 ) to repair two bridges has been postponed due to heavy rain being forecast.

Highways England now intends to carry out the work during the first two weekends in September, although this is also dependent on suitable weather conditions.

Contractors need to close a half-a-mile stretch of the northbound carriageway at junction 7 near Overpool to resurface and re-waterproof the bridges which carry the motorway over the roundabout at the junction.

The closure will be in place from 8pm each Friday until 6am each Monday, with a diversion taking drivers off the exit slip road and then back on the entry slip road at the junction. The motorway will also be closed overnight for up to five nights in September.

Drivers are being advised to allow at least an extra 20 minutes for their journeys or to plan alternative routes.

Mark Mosley, project manager at Highways England, said: “Our contractors will be carrying out essential repairs to the bridges which should reduce the need for emergency resurfacing work in the future and provide drivers with much smoother journeys.

“We’ll be closing the motorway overnight and at weekends when it’s generally less busy and they’ll be a simple diversion taking drivers off and then back on at junction 7. We’re advising drivers to allow at least an extra 20 minutes for their journeys when the motorway is closed or to find alternative routes.”

The northbound side of the M53 will be closed from 8pm on Friday September 4 until 6am on Monday September 7 and then again during the same times from Friday September 11 until Monday September 14.

The carriageway will also be closed overnight, between 8pm and 6am, for up to five nights from Monday September 14.

Drivers who intend to travel on the M53 during the closures are being advised to check the latest traffic conditions before they set off at www.trafficengland.co.uk .