Speed limit rise through motorway works

14 February 2019, 05:48 | Updated: 14 February 2019, 05:51

Highways England is announcing plans to change the way it manages major motorway upgrades in the North West to help reduce the impact of roadworks on drivers.

Following feedback from road users, the government company is changing the timing of some of its roadworks. It means that work on projects to add extra lanes and better technology to the M56 near Manchester Airport and the M6 between Warrington and Wigan, which had been due to start this spring, will now start after current major motorway upgrades have been completed.

Highways England is also setting out plans to improve how smart motorway projects are carried out on the North West’s motorways in the future. They include changes to the layout of roadworks to reduce the need for overnight diversions and finish schemes sooner. Temporary speed limits will also be increased to 60mph when it is safe for drivers and road workers, and three lanes will be maintained in each direction during the day throughout upgrades.