DISRUPTION is being warned on the M56 next month as preparation work for a £23million upgrade project beings.

National Highways is gearing up to demolish the existing A533 Expressway bridge and replace it with a brand-new crossing.

The existing structure has reached the end of its serviceable life and needs to be replaced to maintain and improve the important link for motorists, pedestrians, horse riders and cyclists.

Located between junctions 11 for Daresbury and Preston Brook and 12 for Runcorn, the bridge provides a vital connection for people living or working on both sides of the motorway, so it cannot be demolished until the new one has opened.

It will be replaced with a new 70m bridge consisting of a single two-lane carriageway and a combined footpath and cycleway.

The replacement of this bridge will ensure an increased life span of more than 120 years for road users, maintaining safety in the long term.

Preparation work for the project will start with a limited number of bridge and M56 lane closures.

Disruption is planned as work to replace a bridge crossing the M56 begins

Disruption is planned as work to replace a bridge crossing the M56 begins

This includes a bridge closure between 8pm and 6am for two nights on November 15 and 16 in both directions, with clearly signed diversions in place.

In the event of postponement, due to bad weather for example, contingency-only closure dates of November 17 and 18 have also been scheduled.

The closure of two lanes of the M56 westbound will also be in force between 8pm and 6am, on November 15, 16, 17 and 18 November, and again for another four nights on November 22, 23, 24 and 25.

On each of the nights, a single lane will remain open to traffic

A diversion route crossing over the M56 at junction 11 instead will operate using the A56, A558 and A533.

Anyone seeking more information about the project can visit a dedicated webpage at highwaysengland.co.uk/A533BridgeReplacement