Drivers face misery as major motorway closed for three days next week, sending cars on 90 minute diversion

21 June 2024, 13:23 | Updated: 23 June 2024, 12:57

The M6
The M6. Picture: Alamy

By Kit Heren

One of Britain's most important motorways is set to close for a three-day stretch next week, sending drivers on a 90-minute diversion.

Listen to this article

Loading audio...

A stretch of the M6, which at 230 miles is the longest motorway in the country, will be closed overnight from Monday, June 24 to Wednesday, June 26.

The section that will close is from Junction 23-26 southbound, affecting the area near Warrington in Cheshire, and northbound from 22-23, around the area of Newton-le-Willows on Merseyside.

The good news is that the closures will only be taking place from 9pm-6am, and the road will remain open outside of those hours.

During the hours when the road is closed, southbound drivers will be diverted onto the M58 westbound, then south via Rainsford and then east via St Helens.

Read More: All flights from two terminals at Manchester Airport cancelled as passengers urged not to travel

Smart motorways are 'anything but smart', says Nick Ferrari

That means what normally should take nine minutes could take as long as an hour and a half, according to Google. And it could get even worse if there is extra congestion from the closure.

Drivers going north will only have to make a short diversion via country lanes and onto the A580, going via the village of Lowton.

The closure is taking place as part of ongoing work to transform the road into a smart motorway - when traffic is monitored so that all lanes are kept open if possible.

Smart motorways are 'anything but smart', says Nick Ferrari

On smart motorways, the hard shoulder is kept closed only in the event of an emergency, to protect the drivers and passengers affected.

But smart motorways have proven controversial, and last year the government cancelled plans to build more of them. Ministers said at the time of the announcement that the M6 was an exception because construction was already so far along.

Transport Secretary discusses 'smart motorways' with Nick Ferrari

The campaign group Smart Motorways Kill estimated there have been over 100 deaths linked to smart motorways since 2016, with its founder Claire Mercer saying "many more" have been injured.

Transport Secretary Mark Harper told LBC's Nick Ferrari at Breakfast that smart motorways remain some of the safest.

"Smart Motorways remain the safest roads of the strategic roads network," Mr Harper told Nick, before adding "the public don't have confidence in them."

More Latest News

See more More Latest News

Luigi Mangione, a suspect in the fatal shooting of UnitedHealthcare chief executive Brian Thompson (Pennsylvania Department of Corrections via AP)

Man suspected of killing UnitedHealthcare boss held without bail

Breaking
Anthony Marks

Woman, 18, charged with murder of homeless man sheltering in bin shed near King's Cross

A protester wearing a Netanyahu mask outside his trial in Tel Aviv

Netanyahu gives evidence for first time in corruption trial

Luigi Mangione has been charged with the murder of a health insurance CEO

Healthcare CEO murder suspect Luigi Mangione ‘went crazy after surgery’ and called insurers 'parasites’ in manifesto

Israeli soldiers standing next to an armoured vehicle

Israel launches airstrikes across Syria as troops seize more territory

Israel Netanyahu’s Trial Explainer

Israel’s Netanyahu is set to give evidence in long-running corruption trial

Hildale, Utah, with mountains in the background

Cult leader who claimed underage girls among his ‘wives’ jailed for 50 years

Abbie's husband Karl Sundgren posted tributes to her online

'Baby Abbie’ who was snatched from hospital as a newborn in 1994 dies aged just 30

c

Murdered schoolgirl Elianne Andam, 15, posted Snapchat moments before being stabbed to death in 'row over teddy bear’

Jorge Ortega

'Just hours from going home to his wife': Tribute to 'devoted' rail worker killed at station as fundraiser launched

A man holding up two nooses in Saydnaya prison

Thousands flock to Assad regime prison in search for missing loved ones

Exclusive
Five former Health Secretaries call for memorial to tens of thousands of stillborn babies buried in unmarked mass graves.

Five former Health Secretaries call for memorial to tens of thousands of stillborn babies buried in unmarked mass graves

The family of Luigi Mangione say they are "shocked and devastated"

Family of Luigi Mangione break silence after 26-year-old charged with murder of health insurance boss

Protests against the arrests of the suspected PKK members

Six people charged in London terror probe linked to banned PKK after 'extensive police investigation'

New promo image shows Stacey, Nessa, Gwen, Bryn and Gavin heading to Essex in the Picasso

Gavin And Stacey star says Christmas special will be 'nothing short of a masterpiece' - as new photos released

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu

Benjamin Netanyahu to take stand in corruption trial