Tailback on the M6 at Preston

Six months of road closures and roadworks start from mid-May as part of a multi-million scheme to tackle congestion at a Preston hotspot.

The Broughton interchange where the M6 meets the M55 has long been a problem spot on the road network in and around the city.

Now £7 million of Highways Agency cash is going into widening the northbound M6 carriageway right through the junction.

Short lengths of the hard shoulder are to be used to add an extra lane on the approach and through the interchange.

Alan Shepherd, the Highways Agency’s North West director, said: “I am delighted that work to deliver our investment in improving one of the busiest motorway junctions in Lancashire will start next month.

“Serving commuters and holiday makers travelling to Blackpool and the Lakes, this interchange is important to the economy of the whole region and the improvements will reduce congestion and improve safety.”

The roadworks will include hard shoulder and lane closures, along with overnight slip road and carriageway closures.

Lancashire County Councillor John Fillis, cabinet member for highways and transport, said drivers would suffer short term frustration but it will provide a great improvement in the long term.

The roadworks are due to begin on Monday 12 May and will take until November to complete.

It follows months of work on the Broughton roundabout to try and ease the congestion across the North of Preston.

You can track the progress of the Broughton Interchange roadworks on the Highways Agency website

Will these roadworks affect you? Let us know in the comments below

Image credit to The Nikon Lad