New phase begins for Cheshire’s smart motorway

Drivers on the M6 in Cheshire are set for improved journey times and a cut in congestion as the latest phase of a major project begins next week.

Highways England will be converting a 20-mile stretch of the M6 between junction 16 near Crewe and junction 19 near Knutsford to a smart motorway.

The upgrade will see the hard shoulder converted to an extra lane and installing new technology that will alert drivers to variable limits via overhead electronic signs.

Temporary narrow lanes and a 50mph speed restriction are currently in use between junction 18 (Middlewich) and junction 19 to ensure three lanes to remain open in both directions, whilst also keeping drivers and road workers as safe as possible.

The stretch between junctions 18 and 17 on the southbound carriageway will be closed overnight (10pm to 6am) for four nights from Monday 18^th July to allow the temporary narrow lanes and reduced speed limit to be implemented. The northbound carriageway will also be closed overnight for four nights from Monday 25 July.

Diversion routes will put in place during the work and will include a separate diversion to allow lorries to avoid a low bridge.

Highways England Project Manager Kate Beirne said: “We’re determined to do all we can to minimise disruption while the smart motorway scheme is taking place, and will be keeping three lanes open during the daytime throughout the project.

“We’ll need to close a short stretch of the motorway for a few nights to install the temporary narrow lanes and 50mph speed limit between junctions 17 and 18, and have scheduled these closures to take place overnight when traffic levels are at their lowest.

“When the smart motorway goes live, drivers will benefit from an extra lane in each direction and variable speed limits will be used to keep traffic moving.”

A similar smart motorway scheme on the M62 in West Yorkshire has seen motorists save around 30 minutes each week.

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