Weaver Vale MP Graham Evans has raised a House of Commons debate on the M56.
Mr Evans spoke in Westminster Hall on Tuesday (November 17) about junctions 12 and 14 near Frodsham and Helsby.
There have been more than 160 incidents on this stretch since 2011, 50 of them resulting in serious injury.
The MP said he wanted to bring in technology, such as a smart motorway system, to improve safety and traffic flow.
He said: “I have serious concerns about the stretch of motorway from junctions 12 to 14 of the M56.
“Accidents are happening too often on this road and there is very little technology alerting drivers to potential hazards ahead.
“What I am looking for is major investment across the particular area for a long-term solution.”
More than 120,000 motorists use the M56 each day, with 10,000 going between junctions 12 and 14 during evening rush hour.
Ellesmere Port and Neston MP Justin Madders said: “I am grateful to Mr Evans for securing this debate which also affects part of my constituency.
“Statistics show the number of incidents on the M56 have doubled in the last four years.”
Chester MP Chris Matheson was also at the debate.
A ‘Sick of the M56’ petition had been launched calling on the government to hold a review on its safety and has been signed by the three Cheshire West MPs.
There was some good news as the junction 12 slip road reopened after five weeks of roadworks on Monday.
Mr Evans cited the overturned tanker which caused the motorway to be closed in both directions for 12 hours on October 20.
He said: “Cheshire Constabulary have told me there is no contributing factor which runs through all of these accidents.
“Personally I think it is the safety implications of the fact this stretch runs predominantly east to west.
“When you look at the timing of these incidents it often matches with when the sun is setting.”
He also raised concerns about the knock-on effects each crash has on Frodsham and Helsby.
A huge amount of traffic often diverts onto the A56 after an accident between junctions 12 and 15.
Analysis
Parliamentary Under Secretary of State for Roads Andrew Jones MP was open to the possibility of bringing in the smart motorway, but it wouldn’t happen before 2020.
He said: “Highways England are analysing the data to see whether any patterns emerge.
“It’s too early to say what final measures will be identified in this review and the timescales for implementing them.
“We are currently looking into a road investment strategy for the period after 2020.”
Mr Jones added in the mean time portable signs will be put at the M53 exchange to warn drivers of another M56 accident.
A new junction 11a connecting the M56 to the A533 is also planned.
Keys to the central reservations are now carried in each Highways Agency car.
If sections are removed temporarily this can free up long queues by allowing them to escape back down the opposite direction.
Mr Evans said smart motorway technology had his full support moving forward.
He added ideas such as enhanced cameras, better advanced notice for drivers and improving agency response had been floated at a multi-agency meeting last month.
What do you think about the state of the M56? Is this the best way to find a solution? Let us know in the comments below.
