DfT accelerates £4m roadworks on M65
Work has started on renewal and improvement work along a mile-long section of the M65 in East Lancashire to reduce congestion.
The work was accelerated for delivery as part of the Department for Transport's £700m fiscal stimulus package. The £4.1m Highways Agency project to install a new verge safety barrier, resurface the carriageway and repair five bridges, including re-waterproofing works, should be completed before the end of March.
The work is taking place between Knuzden Brook and Dunkenhalgh – Junctions 6 and 7 of the motorway near Blackburn and Accrington – and will improve safety, provide a better driving environment and extend the life of the bridges. Around 60,000 vehicles use this stretch of the motorway every day.
Matt Sweeting, Highways Agency regional performance manager, said: "We welcome the opportunity to bring forward these repairs and improvements for the M65 in this part of Lancashire. The work should also help reduce congestion and lead to more reliable journey times for drivers."
The majority of work will take place between 10pm and 5am each day, seven days a week with a small amount of daytime work in the verges. There will be some overnight lane closures for the work and around seven overnight slip-road closures. Signed diversions will be in place for slip road closures.
