MOTORISTS are being warned of a full carriageway closure on the M56 tonight, Friday.

The westbound carriageway between junction 11 for Daresbury and Preston Brook and junction 12 for Runcorn will be shut from 9pm through to 6pm.

This will allow National Highways workers to safely install narrow lanes as part of a project to replace the A533 Expressway Bridge.

The bridge is a vital local link, providing access across the M56 to Runcorn from Preston Brook and Northwich.

Following preparation work undertaken in November, National Highways is now moving into the main construction phase of the project.

It plans to replace the existing structure with a new 67m two-span concrete bridge, consisting of a single two-lane carriageway and a combined footpath and cycleway.

The replacement of this bridge will ensure an increased life span of over 120 years for road users, maintaining safety in the long term.

A further full closure of the eastbound carriageway will be in force from 9pm tomorrow, Saturday, to 6am on Sunday morning, while the westbound side will be closed from 9pm on Sunday to 6am on Monday.

The narrow lanes will be in place for around six months and will allow three lanes of traffic to remain open on the M56 in both directions while the bridge pier is built in the central reservation.

The reduced speed limit of 50mph will continue on the 2.4km stretch of the M56 to ensure safety is maintained for our operatives and road users.