A500 and M6 junction scheme to start June 23, says Highways Agency

Nantwich and Crewe drivers are being warned that work on the A500 and junction 16 of the M6 will start on Monday 23 June.

Two schemes costing a total of £8 million will be delivered by the Highways Agency, one on behalf of Cheshire East Council.

A third lane will be provided on the north and southbound exit slip roads of the M6 and the roundabout as well as its A500 eastbound approach from Nantwich.

Traffic lights will be added on the northbound exit slip road and the roundabout to complement those already in place on the southbound exit slip road.

Highways Agency Project Manager Debbie Makinde said: “This busy junction suffers from congestion, particularly at peak times.

“Providing an additional lane on its approaches and providing traffic lights at the roundabout to help traffic join it will reduce that congestion.

“We apologise in advance for the disruption and inconvenience experienced by road users, but the junction following this work will be much better and more free-flowing, boosting the local economy and driving economic growth.”

During the work, which will take until Christmas to complete, there will be different phases of traffic management in place.

This will include exit and entry slip road closures, full closures of the A500 and B5078 and a temporary speed limit of 50mph.

24-hour narrow lanes will be in place on the A500 Crewe and Nantwich side of the junction during certain elements of the work.

The two eastbound laybys on the A500 – one on the approach to junction 16 from Nantwich and one on the exit from it – will be closed during the work.

Two on the westbound carriageway – one on the approach and one on the exit – will form part of the scheme and be closed permanently.

Notification and signing of all closures will be provided in advance.

Traffic levels permitting, work should be carried out from 8pm to 7am on Mondays to Thursdays, 9pm to 9am on Fridays, 7pm to 11am on Saturdays and 7pm to 6am on Sundays.

Traffic management will be removed outside working hours wherever possible and there will be no closures on the M6.

The work is part of a £317 million pinch point improvement programme designed to boost local economies, reduce congestion and improve safety on the main network.

You can find out more about the scheme, including regular updates about traffic management and diversions at http://www.highways.gov.uk/roads/road-projects/m6-junction-16-improvement-scheme/ or by calling the Highways Agency Information Line on 0300 123 5000.