DRIVERS are being reminded that a section of the M56 will be fully closed this weekend.

Both carriageways will be shut between Hale and Altrincham as National Highways works to finish its £85million ‘upgrade’.

Work between junctions six at Hale and eight at Bowdon aims to add an extra lane in each direction and extensive extra technology to help smooth drivers’ journeys.

Both the westbound and eastbound carriageways will be closed from 9pm tonight (Friday, September 9) to 6am on Monday, September 12.

The eastbound M56 will be closed from junctions nine at Lymm to five for Manchester Airport, while westbound will be shut from junctions five to eight, with clearly signed diversions in place.

National Highways says access to Manchester Airport will be maintained via the westbound M56 at junction five throughout this weekend’s closure.

Holidaymakers with overnight flights and heading to the airport from places like the west Midlands, north Cheshire and north Wales will be able to use a motorway diversion from junction nine of the M56 at Lymm, or a local diversion from junction seven at Altrincham.

While the westbound M56 will remain open up to junction five for access to Manchester Airport, drivers heading beyond the airport to the M6 and north Wales will need to take a diversion using the M60, M62 and M6.

Drivers from the Midlands and north Wales planning to use the eastbound M56 to head to the airport or Manchester city centre will need to use the M6, M62 and M60 diversion instead.

Drivers are advised to check traffic conditions before setting out on journeys.