The southbound M53 junction at Moreton has been opened for the first time in years after a bridge repair project was recently completed.

The entry slip road for the southbound M53 at junction two re-opened on 7 August following completion of repairs to a bridge which carries the slip road over the northbound and southbound motorway carriageways.

A second bridge, carrying the southbound exit slip road over the motorway carriageways, has been completely replaced in the £2.8m project which started in February.

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The project is set to be completed by 21 August when finishing works to the new bridge are completed and the exist slip re-opens.

The old slip road bridges had weakened with age requiring a weight restriction and single lane running along the slip roads.

The Highways England project – which required the slip roads to be closed during the repairs - is restoring the junction to its full capacity of two running lanes and a hard shoulder.

Highways Agency project manager Mark Mosley said: "We are pleased to say drivers can now join the southbound M53 from junction 2 – in the case of some heavy goods vehicle drivers, for the first time in several years."

In planning the scheme, Highways England had anticipated closing the motorway around junction two for three whole weekends.

However, the work is being completed with only one weekend closure –back in April for the demolition of the old slip road bridge – required.

(LM)