THERE is good news for motorists after this weekend as narrow lanes on the M6 near Winwick will be removed as a major project to renovate two motorway bridges nears its completion.

The Highways Agency is carrying out essential maintenance work to the concrete bridges which carry the roundabout at junction 22 over the motorway.

The roundabout links the M6 to the A49 for Warrington and Newton-le-Willows, and the A579 for Leigh.

Contractors will be closing parts of the M6 overnight to remove the narrow lanes, which were installed at the start of the project in November.

Mark Mosley, project manager at the Highways Agency, said: “We’d like to thank drivers for their patience during this essential work to renovate the bridges at junction 22 of the M6, as we approach the end of the project.

“We now need to close the northbound and southbound carriageways this weekend to remove the narrow lanes.

"The closures will take place overnight, at a time when far fewer people are using the motorway, and we’ll have a clearly signed diversion route.”

The southbound carriageway will be closed between junction 23 at Newton-le-Willows and junction 21a at the M62 interchange from 10pm on Saturday until 6am on Sunday.

The northbound carriageway will then close between junctions 21a and 23 from 10pm on Sunday until 6am on Monday.

A diversion will be in place when the motorway is closed.