DRIVERS are being reminded that a section of the M56 will be closed from tonight, Friday.

It will remain shut over the weekend ahead of the installation of a new bridge carrying the A533 Expressway bridge across the motorway.

National Highways will be closing the M56 eastbound between junctions 11 for Preston Brook and Daresbury and 12 for Runcorn.

This will come into effect from 9pm this evening, and it will remain in force through to 6am on Monday morning.

This will allow for the installation of new safety barriers in preparation for the new bridge. The A533 Expressway will remain open during these closures.

The first of the two weekend closures had been due to take place last weekend, but this was postponed over safety concerns in relation to operatives working near unstable barriers.

The postponed westbound closure is closure is now scheduled to take place on the weekend of next Friday, October7, again from 9pm through to 6am on Monday, October 10.

The bridge installation is also still confirmed for the last weekend of October, with both the M56 between junctions 11 and 12 and the A533 Expressway bridge being closed in both directions.

This will be from 9pm on Friday, October 28, until 6am on Monday, October 31.

Sam Whitfield, National Highways’ project manager, said: “This work is an essential step in preparing for the installation of the replacement A533 Expressway bridge, which is currently being constructed off-site.

“The motorway will be closed eastbound only during the first weekend closure. During the second weekend, the motorway will be closed westbound only.

“Towards the end of October, we will be ready to lift the new bridge into position. To do this, we will close the M56 in both directions for one full weekend.

“At the same time, we will also need to close the A533 Expressway bridge in both directions, between Murdishaw roundabout and Preston Brook.

“We appreciate this will cause some disruption to those who use the M56 and the A533, and we thank you for your patience while we carry out this work.”

Clearly signed diversions making use of the local A558 and A533 roads will be in place and fully signposted.

Delays are expected and drivers are advised to plan ahead and allow extra time for their journeys