M56

Conversion of the M56 between junctions 6 (the A538 at Ringway) and 7/8 (the A556 at Bowdon) to Smart Motorway.

As part of the works, the hard shoulder will be converted into a fourth permanent running lane ("All Lane Running") between junctions 6 and 7, and westbound through junction 6. The hard shoulder will not be converted through junction 6 eastbound, so for traffic travelling towards Manchester, the left-hand lane will exit at junction 6 and return afterwards.

The scheme involves construction of a new interchange between junctions 10 and 11 of the M56, linking the motorway to the A533 close to Runcorn. The aims of the scheme are to reduce congestion and delays, particularly at junction 11 which is presently the main junction for Runcorn, as well as provide enhanced access to the new Mersey Gateway bridge.

This scheme was brought forward by several months in June 2009 when a survey of the bridge showed unexpected cracks and faults. It has been closed to traffic permanently and will not reopen until 2010 when the new bridge is in place.

There was to be no westbound exit from the M56 here and therefore no access from Manchester to the south via M56. A signed diversion was also place on the M62 and M6. The opposite journey, from the south to Manchester, remained open as usual.

The existing bridge has however been re-opened as a single lane pending the new works.

Upgrade of the current at-grade junctions on the A5117 between the M56 and the Welsh border with grade-separated interchanges. The route forms part of the strategic Manchester to North Wales trunk route and as such is now heavily congested. The works complement upgrade works being carried out on the Welsh side of the border, but are not as extensive. In Wales the route is being widened to dual-four lane road with hard shoulders.