Barriers boost for M5 and M6

The Highways Agency has started work to replace the central reserve barrier on the M5 between junction 3 and 4a.

The existing steel barrier has reached the end of its life and is being replaced with a new concrete barrier.

Work is expected to last until March 2012.

Laura Mobley Highways Agency project manager, said: "These essential works are necessary to ensure that the central reserve barrier on the M5 between Junctions 3 and 4a remains in a safe and serviceable condition.

"We will endeavour to complete this necessary work as quickly and efficiently as possible so that the impact on motorists is kept to a minimum."

Work to increase the protection for users of the M6 through Cumbria will also get underway this month.

The £75,000 scheme will plug short gaps in the hard shoulder safety barrier between Junction 39 of the motorway at Shap and Junction 42 near Carlisle.

Although none of the work is expected to cause any inconvenience to drivers, it will require the closure of the hard shoulder and lane one along sections of the motorway between Shap and Penrith and Penrith and Carlisle.

The work will be taking place between Monday 21 November and Sunday 4 December.

Highways Agency project sponsor Peter Gee said, "This work will increase safety for drivers - sections of M6 verge which have no protection at present to stop vehicles from leaving the nearside carriageway will now be protected by new vehicle restraint safety barriers."