New work to ease M56 congestion

9:43am Tuesday 19th August 2008

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The Highways Agency is to revise the layout of a busy motorway junction to ease congestion.

The work on the eastbound slip road at Junction 7 of the M56 at Bowdon will especially tackle delays during the morning rush hour.

The junction was altered last September with the aim of improving the flow of traffic but while that scheme has helped vehicles to merge more freely from the A556, there have been increased delays for drivers on the main carriageway.

To combat this problem, the Highways Agency is now planning to reinstate three lanes on the main carriageway and adapt the hard shoulder to provide a long auxiliary lane for traffic joining the motorway from the A556.

Highways Agency project sponsor Neal Symmons said: "We have monitored and evaluated the scheme and listened to drivers' experiences, which is why we are embarking on this new work.

"We understand the frustration of motorists using this route over the last few months and we appreciate not only their feedback but also their patience during the preparation of the new scheme."

"Although it is not possible to eradicate delays entirely at this extremely busy junction, the changes we intend to make should improve the situation significantly."

The work is due to start next Tuesday and will take around 22 weeks to complete. Most work will be carried out overnight to avoid further disruption for motorists. Any closures, diversions or other restrictions will be clearly signed, while further details will be available on the Highways Agency's website at http://www.highways.gov.uk