Junction revision to cost £3.8m

Highways bosses are to spend £3.8m to revise the layout of a busy motorway junction - 11 months after spending £1.5m to improve its traffic flow.

One lane of the Manchester-bound M56 was removed at junction seven in September to create an extra lane for motorists joining from the A556.

But although the change helped vehicles merge more freely from the slip, it led to tailbacks on the main carriageway.

A third lane will now be reinstated to the M56 as part of the new project.

The existing hard shoulder will be adapted to create a 300m (984ft) auxiliary lane for traffic joining the carriageway.

Feedback 'appreciated'

Highways bosses said they had listened to concerns of motorists and were confident the changes should improve the situation on the M56.

But it means a further 22 weeks of road works for drivers using the stretch of the busy motorway, starting on 26 August.

Project manager Neal Symmons said: "We have monitored and evaluated the scheme and listened to drivers' experiences, which is why we are embarking on this new work.

"We understand the frustration of motorists using this route over the last few months and we appreciate not only their feedback but also their patience during the preparation of the new scheme.

"Although it is not possible to eradicate delays entirely at this extremely busy junction, the changes we intend to make should improve the situation significantly."