AN INNOVATIVE new scheme to reduce congestion and improve traffic flows at some of the busiest junctions on the motorway network in the north west is being launched in Newton.

Motorway access management, or traffic signals on motorway entry slip roads, is being installed at 10 locations on the M6, M60 and M62 in the first phase of a £6m project.

Congestion often occurs near junctions when vehicles attempt to join a busy motorway.

By introducing traffic signals on entry slip roads the flow of traffic on the motorway can be 'smoothed out'.

Roy Wood, Highways Agency area manager, said: "Motorists may have a few seconds' delay at the slip road traffic lights, but there will be an overall benefit for all motorway users.

"To ensure the system works effectively it is essential that fine tuning of the control software has to be carried out in the first week of operation.

"Motorists may experience some minor delays while this work is carried out."

The system will be turned on at the M6 J22 Southbound in Newton on Monday, the

M6 J23 Southbound in Haydock the following week and at the M6 J23 Northbound in Haydock on Monday, July 3.