A key slip road on the M56 is due to reopen in December, Highways England has announced.

The road, off the southbound A556 after Bowdon roundabout, is to be open by Monday, 14 December.

It was closed at the end of September as part of construction work on the new £192 million A556 link road between the M56 and M6.

The closure was extended after workers discovered an uncharted water pipe. Highways England therefore decided to bring forward further work and cancel a second closure of the junction planned for February.


Construction work on the new link road began in November and is due to be completed in early 2017.

Jonathan Stokes, Project Manager at Highways England, said: "We would like to thank drivers for their patience and understanding during the slip road closure while we've been refurbishing the bridge on the A556.

"We are moving along quickly with works and drivers will be able to see the road taking shape as the various bridges are being erected over the next 6 months."

In order to reopen the route, the southbound A556 from Bowdon roundabout to Bucklow Hill will be closed overnight from 9pm to 5am for three nights starting 09 December.

Signed diversions will be in place.

(LM/MH)