Drivers warned of three years of roadworks on M53

The first phase of a £50m programme to upgrade the M53 across Merseyside and Cheshire has started.

Over the next three years, National Highways will replace four ageing bridges, alongside other repairs including resurfacing and drainage improvements.

The project is part of a £27bn government investment in roads over the next five years.

National Highways said many of the bridges crossing or forming part of the motorway, were built decades ago and are in need of significant work.

"Parts of the M53 were built almost 55 years ago at a time when traffic volumes and the weight of vehicles was considerably lower," Amy Williams, National Highways' director for the North West, said,

"This £50m maintenance, renewals and repairs package – including the new bridge decks - will help secure safe, smooth and reliable journeys for businesses, commuters, residents and other motorway users for many years to come."

The first £3m phase on the Eastham Viaduct at junctions four and five is now under way, with variousovernight carriageway closures taking place until autumn.

Resurfacing and drainage work will start in July and also run into the autumn with regular overnight single carriageway closures.

National Highways said while much of the work along the M53 might appear to road users to be "like-for-like" renewals, the 20th century bridge decks are being replaced with new decks to meet current standards and designs.

Other bridge works include Upton Road bridge where the A5027 crosses over the motorway between junction two and junction three; Raby Hall Road bridge between junction four and junction five and Clatterbridge interchange, where the two bridges over the M53 at junction four roundabout at Clatterbridge will also be replaced.

A £5.2m resurfacing and £455,000 of drainage improvements will also take place between junction seven at Ellesmere Port and junction 10 at Little Stanney.

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