Drivers using the M6 in Cheshire are being promised safer and more reliable journeys from a major £14.5m repairs and improvement programme between Knutsford and Lymm, where the M6 joins the M56.

The Highways England scheme – a combination of bridge repairs and support strengthening, a new concrete central reservation barrier, new steel verge barriers, drainage improvements and resurfacing – will start on Friday, December 4 and is due to be completed in early 2017.

It is one of the biggest maintenance projects of its kind undertaken anywhere in the North West in recent years with a total of eight separate projects being combined to minimise future inconvenience to drivers.

The scheme will require five miles of road works including a 50mph speed limit and narrowed lanes, between junction 19 of the motorway at Knutsford and junction 20 at Lymm Services.

There will be a 50mph speed limit between Junction 19 and 20 on the M6

The work will coincide for a time with construction of the M6 junction 16 to 19 smart motorway project which is due to start early next year.

Highways England senior manager Andy Withington said: “This important investment in maintenance, wear and tear repairs and safety improvements is about delivering a safer and more reliable M6 for drivers.

This work will complement the huge investment we’re making in the area with the smart motorway upgrade between junctions 16 and 19 and new A556 bypass.

“We’ve thought long and hard about the timing of the work given the proximity of the smart motorway project, but the bridge repairs are essential and by adding the other improvements we won’t need to go back this stretch of the motorway for several years.

Traffic management for the project will be installed from Friday.

Four key phases

The four key phases of the project include:

  • Winter 2015 to spring 2016 – central reservation barrier from junction 19 to Whitley Lane.
  • Winter 2015 to winter 2017 – bridge structure repairs and strengthening works at Swineyard Lane, Whitley Lane and Gore Farm bridges.
  • Spring 2016 to summer 2016 – central reservation barrier from Whitley Lane to junction 20.
  • Summer 2016 to winter 2017 – drainage upgrade and verge-side safety barrier installation from junctions 19 to 20.

As well as some overnight carriageway closures to alter the temporary road layout at the start and end of construction and repair phases, there will be regular overnight lane closures.

Drivers can get more information about the project and sign up for regular email updates by visiting the dedicated project webpage at: http://www.highways.gov.uk/roads/road-projects/M6-junctions-19-20-vehicle-restraint-system-works-and-bridge-strengthening-works

More information on that project is available at: http://www.highways.gov.uk/roads/road-projects/m6-junctions-16-19-smart-motorway/?latest