M6 smart improvements to start this month

Cheshire section of motorway to benefit from smart conversion

Works to improve a major section of the M6 will commence later this month, with a 20mile stretch between Crew and Knutsford upgraded to a smart motorway.

Highways England will start work on 26th February on the first section, near junction 18, with the works undertaken in phases to minimise disruption. Narrow lanes and a temporary 50mph limit will be introduced for the duration of the works.

In addition to the upgrade, maintenance work will also be undertaken to bridges and structures along each stretch.

The smart motorway initiative is part of the Government’s £15Bn road investment strategy to improve the road network’s infrastructure.

Smart motorways improve journeys by monitoring traffic flow and setting speed limits accordingly to keep traffic moving smoothly. The hard shoulder will be converted to a traffic lane to create the much-needed extra capacity. Information about road conditions and speed limits will be displayed to drivers on electronic road signs.

Highways England Project manager Kate Beirne said: “This scheme will bring real benefits to drivers travelling in Cheshire and to the wider economy – it will ease congestion and help keep traffic moving, making journeys more reliable.

“We have carefully planned the work to minimise disruption and to ensure that as far as possible we can keep three lanes open to traffic while we carry out the work.”

The works follows on from completion of the latest section of the M6 between junctions 11a (Cannock) and 13 (Stafford).

 

 

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