Highways England has confirmed £12 million worth of maintenance improvements along a 28-mile-stretch of the M56 over the next year, including replacing the central reservation barrier near Warrington, revitalising a viaduct near Helsby, and resurfacing the motorway near Ellesmere Port.

Work is also due to take place next month to improve drainage on the section of the M56 near Manchester Airport (junctions 6 to 8) ahead of the main construction work on a major upgrade starting this autumn to reduce congestion and increase the motorway’s capacity.

Road workers on the projects continue to strict Public Health England safeguarding measures.

Gary Knowles, Highways England’s head of scheme delivery in the north west, said: “The M56 provides an important link between Manchester and Wales, and we need to carry out a series of maintenance improvements to keep drivers safe and support essential journeys across the region.

“The smoother road surface, better drainage and new central reservation barrier will improve safety for drivers, whether they are travelling to and from work, getting food to supermarkets or delivering medical supplies to hospitals,” he said.

“We are doing everything we can to keep workers safe and would urge drivers to do their bit too by sticking to the speed limit for their own and our road workers’ safety.”

A bridge maintenance scheme has also started at a junction on the A55, along the route from the M56 which links Chester to Wrexham in North Wales.