M6

Upgrade of the M6 to Smart Motorway between junctions 16 and 19, in order to create a smoother flow of traffic and thus reduce congestion.

As well as variable speed limits, this is a full conversion to All-Lane-Running (turning the hard shoulder into a permanent fourth running lane) with only Emergency Refuge Areas provided instead.

This scheme replaces the earlier M6 J13-19 Smart Motorway scheme, which was withdrawn in 2014.

Works will initially be at the northern end of the scheme, before spreading south.

Reconstruction of M1 Junction 19, the meeting place of the M1, M6 and A14. Provision of new free-flow links between M6 and A14. The plans as of Autumn 2003 will cause the realignment of the road between Catthorpe and Swinford away from the interchange, which in turn will mean the A14 from this interchange to Junction 1 will be upgraded to motorway.

The junction will carry the mainline of the M6 on to the A14, with sliproads between M1 south and M6, and between M1 north and A14.

Improvements will be made to J19 of the M6 in order to reduce congestion and increase safety. The junction suffers problems handling current levels of traffic, and congestion is expected to be increase now that the adjacent A556 Knutsford to Bowdon Environmental Improvement scheme has opened to traffic. Changes are therefore required to allow the junction to continue functioning.

Provision of Smart Motorway technology on the M6 between junctions 10A and 13.

Between Junctions 10A and 11A (the M6 Toll), variable speed limits will be installed; north of junction 11A full Smart Motorway technology including conversion of the hard shoulder to a running lane ("all lane running") will be provided.

Work was initially planned to be complete by Spring 2015, but Highways England have since decided to add resurfacing to the programme, which has extended to timescale to Autumn 2015.

Work to upgrade the M6 to provide Smart Motorway technology between Stafford and Stoke on Trent, in order to tackle congestion and improve capacity. This section of the motorway is one of the busiest parts that have not yet been converted.

Like nearby Smart Motorway projects on the M6 between junctions 10 and 12, and between17 and 19, is expected to include all-lane-running (conversion of the hard shoulder to a full-time normal traffic lane) as well as variable speed limits and other signalling technology.

Work is being carried out under the Pinch Point Programme to fully signalise the roundabout at M6 junction 16 and widen the circulatory carriageway. The existing bridges are already wide enough for the addition of extra circulation lanes.

The northbound and southbound exit slip roads from the M6 are also being widened to support the extra lanes. The A500 western approach is also being widened so that traffic can queue by destination direction and thus reduce waiting time.

Changes to the layout of M6 junction 17 (Sandbach) under the Pinch Point programme. Works will consist of a new roundabout on the west side at the top of the northbound exit slip and installation of new traffic signals on the east side at the top of the southbound exit slip. Better lighting to also be installed. Free flow lanes for left turns will be put in where traffic levels demand it.

The original plan for the M6 between Birmingham and Manchester was to widen the road, but this was criticised for failing to sufficiently increase road capacity. As a result, a modified scheme was proposed whereby Active Traffic Management would be installed instead.

In 2014, the UK Government announced that funding would be made available to upgrade only the section between junctions 16 and 19. The J13-19 scheme was therefore withdrawn and replaced by the M6 J16-19 Smart Motorway scheme.