National Highways has pledged to rethink future closures of the M6 after works at the weekend resulted in long queues, with drivers being delayed for hours.
The government-owned company had planned four consecutive weekend closures of the southbound carriageway between junction 32 and 33 from 9pm each Friday to 5am the following Monday, beginning last weekend, with some overnight northbound closures.
It said the £1.7m project comprising bridge deck refurbishment schemes on two bridges would provide a permanent repair to recurring potholes in the carriageway.
Project manager Frank Jamieson said that given the bridges’ location between junctions 32 and 33 National Highways had taken the opportunity to do both at the same time – ‘limiting the disruption of roadworks to motorway users’.
He added that there was ‘a very good diversion along the A6’.
The closure of the #M6 southbound between J33 and J32 is currently in the process of being lifted.
— National Highways: North-West (@HighwaysNWEST) September 11, 2022
There are currently severe delays and 7 miles of congestion on approach to the closure. Thank you for your patience. pic.twitter.com/ZHorrdTzyp
However, news reports said severe delays had left thousands of drivers trapped in miles of queuing traffic on Saturday and Sunday, with Lancaster also gridlocked.
National Highways said there were seven miles of congestion on the approach to the closure.
On Monday, divisional director Alan Shepherd apologised and said the company would be reviewing the traffic management, signage and communications ahead of future weekend closures.
He added: ‘As the nation pays its respects to Queen Elizabeth, planned full closures on the M6 are being paused this weekend (16 – 19 September). This will allow National Highways more time to review its plans for future weekend closures and make any necessary changes to minimise disruption.’
Mr Shepherd said that National Highways had re-opened two out of three southbound lanes on the carriageway at 5.10pm on Sunday, restarting the work at midnight.
The pause on closures of the M6 also affected work to install new gantries as part of the conversion of junction 21a to 26 all lane running ‘smart motorway’, which was due to take place from Monday to Friday.
