National Highways has set autumn dates to complete ‘essential’ maintenance work on the M6 on two bridges, with full weekend road closures expected.

National Highways is to carry out waterproofing and barrier maintenance work on the M6 Whittingham Lane and Stewart’s Wood Bridges, which carry the M6 over Whittingham Lane and Stubbins Lane near Broughton, north of junction 32. 

They will start ‘advanced work’ on the northbound carriageway on Wednesday, 7 September and Thursday, 8 September.

The work will involve two overnight closures of the M6 junction 32 to 33 from 9pm until 5am on those early September dates.

The closures will repeat on Monday, 26 September and Tuesday, 27 September.

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National Highways will then close the M6 over four weekends (Friday at 9pm until Monday at 5am) between J33-32.

• Friday, 9 September to Monday, 12 September – southbound
• Friday, 16 September to Monday, 19 September – southbound
• Friday, 23 September to Monday, 26 September – southbound
• Friday, 30 September to Monday, 3 October – southbound

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They said the work would protect the bridge joints from salt and rainwater damage, reducing the need for emergency repairs in the future.

National Highways is to replace the central barrier on both bridges and repair beams damaged by vehicle strikes under the bridge decks.

They said carrying out the safety work alongside the waterproofing will mean fewer road closures.

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During the M6 closures, a fully signed diversion will be in place, which has been agreed upon with the local authority and police.  

Southbound traffic will leave the motorway at junction 33, onto the A6 (Preston Lancaster Road) for 12 miles, then onto junction 1 of the M55, re-joining the M6 at junction 32.

Northbound traffic will leave the M6 at junction 32, onto junction 1 of the M55, and then onto the A6 (Preston Lancaster Road) for 12 miles before re-joining the M6 at junction 33.

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Broughton and Catterall road closures

To complete the bridge strike repair, they will close two local roads under each bridge, Whittingham Lane (B5269) at Broughton and Stubbins Lane, from the weekend of Friday, 30 September, to Monday, 3 October.

National Highways said they recommend that all customers use the signed diversion routes to avoid several weight and height restrictions on local roads.

The diversion route also minimises noise and traffic disruption for local residents.

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They said they are ‘mindful’ that it will cause delays and disruption and have taken work on the M56, junctions 5 to 9, into consideration.

Residents should avoid the area by choosing another route if one is available and plan for longer journey times.

Those living on the diversion route will experience increased traffic and noise during these closures.

National Highways apologised in advance and thanked people for their patience.

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